Luther Burden
III

ESPN's Matt Miller loved the commitment the Bears showed to Caleb Williams by taking Burden, labeling it his favorite pick in 2025. "I love the overall player," Burden said. "It was a smart team-building pick after Chicago already filled so many needs in free agency."

Defensive backs face a major disadvantage when trying to guard Burden. A normal receiver is hard enough to cover while having to backpedal. The Bears rookie presents an entirely new challenge. He showcases crisp route-running, using slick footwork to lose the cornerback and work his way open.

Luther needed only three catches to spark Chicago's 31-14 victory over Dallas on September 21, 2025. Playing in just his third pro game, Burden piled up 101 receiving yards. He gave the Bears an early 14-3 lead with a 65-yard TD grab in the opening quarter.

After a strong training camp practice, Burden felt good. "Today was a great day," he said. "A great day to play football, a great day to get better." It sure made the Bears feel good, because the second-round pick out of the University of Missouri was a major part of their plan to put juice in the offense.

The Bears dialed up a big play when they called for a flea-flicker against the Cowboys in Week 3 of the 2025 season. Caleb Williams handed it off, got the ball back on a pitch and looked deep for a streaking Burden. The wideout snagged it near the sideline and out-raced the defense to the end zone for a 65-yard score, part of a fantastic 101-yard day.

Luther operates as a do-it-all weapon for the Bears, capable of playing in the slot, outside on the boundary or even lining up in the backfield. He excels with the ball in his hands. Burden breaks tackles like a running back and is elusive enough to erase unsuspecting defenders in space. In a 31-4 win over the Cowboys on September 21, 2025, he caught three passes for 100 yards and a TD.

Ben Johnson gets giddy talking about Burden. "For 6-foot, 200-plus pounds, it's rare to see someone with his movement skills," the coach said. "He can stop on a dime and accelerate just like that. Give him a little bit of space and he can make big things happen. A dangerous player. … I see big things in his future."

Luther Burden III was a standout wide receiver at the University of Missouri, where he caught 192 passes for 2,263 yards and 21 touchdowns in his three-year career. The Bears selected Burden in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, making him the 11th overall pick. At 6'1" and 205 pounds, Burden brings elite speed and route-running ability to Chicago's receiving corps. He ran a 4.35 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and impressed scouts with his hands and football IQ. Burden was a two-time All-SEC selection at Missouri and was named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list in his final season. The Bears are counting on Burden to make an immediate impact in the Windy City.

Defensive backs must lace up their cleats extra tight when asked to guard Burden. If they don't, they're liable to get juked out of them after the playmaker busts out his bag of moves. Especially dangerous in the open field, the elusive wideout avoids tackles and leaves foes in the dust as he races past.

ESPN's Matt Miller loved the commitment the Bears showed to Caleb Williams by taking Burden, labeling it his favorite pick in 2025. "I love the value of Burden early in Round 2 after taking a smart team-building overall pick," he said. "It was a smart team-building pick after Chicago already filled so many needs in free agency."

Luther operates as a do-it-all weapon for the Bears, capable of playing in the slot, outside at tailback and is elusive enough to elude unuspecting defenders in space. Over the Cowboys on September 21, 2025, he caught three passes for 101 yards and a TD.