The Chicago Bears ushered in a new era in their wide receiver room this offseason, trading DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills, leaving recent draft picks Luther Burden III and Rome Odunze to vie for the WR1 role this coming season.
Odunze, taken ninth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, was injured for much of 2025. Burden also battled injuries, but both players have impressive displays to their credit.
Burden drew attention for a different reason on Friday, but one that offered a fitting reminder.
Bears’ Luther Burden III Turns Heads at Old Stomping Grounds
Luther Burden III Returns to Mizzou
The Bears selected Burden, a projected first-round pick, 39th overall. Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported on draft night that Burden returned to the Missouri Tigers’ facilities to work out after going unclaimed on Day 1.
Chicago used the 39th overall pick, which it received in the 2023 trade with the Carolina Panthers that also yielded Moore and the 2024 No. 1 pick that became Caleb Williams.
Burden returned to Missouri on Friday, garnering looks as he watched the Tigers’ pro day.
“Luther Burden III #Bears WR and #Mizzou legend, arrives at Pro Day and hugs running backs coach Curtis Luper,” The Tiger Kickoff Show! posted on X on March 20. “Great to see the brotherhood coming back together!”
Burden spent three seasons in Columbia, tallying 192 receptions, 2,263 yards, and 34 touchdowns.
He posted a 47-652-line with the Bears as a rookie.
Bears Gambling on Retooled WR Room
Slowed by injuries in training camp, Burden shone brightest during a three-game span from Weeks 14-17 (he missed Week 16 against the Green Bay Packers). He had 18 receptions, 289 yards, and 1 touchdown.
He played in 15 games, starting five, and finished fourth among the Bears’ receivers in snap share, per Pro Football Reference.
Not only is Moore gone, so is 2025 free agent pickup Olamide Zaccheaus, replaced with 2026 add Kalif Raymond.
The Bears also have impressive 2025 undrafted free agent Jahdae Walker. Still, the onus will be on Burden and Odunze, and while both have flashed their potential to step up even more than they already have, injuries and inconsistency have plagued both early in their careers.
Experience will help, as will improvement from Williams. But the Bears need Burden (and Odunze) to prove general manager Ryan Poles was correct.
Poles said in no uncertain terms that Burden was a key part of the decision to trade Moore.
The Bears will also lean heavily on 2025 first-round pick and tight end Colston Loveland, who had a historic rookie season, particularly in the playoffs. The Bears have a lot of talent, but they are banking on young players with limited track records.