Luther Burden III didn’t just grow into the Bears’ offense as his rookie season unfolded — he became one of its defining playmakers by the end of 2025.
Luther Burden III’s 2025 Snapshot
OTHER 2025 CHICAGO BEARS SNAPSHOTS:
Quarterback Caleb Williams Tight End Colston Loveland Safety Kevin Byard III Defensive end Austin BookerAfter missing rookie minicamp, OTAs, and the early portion of training camp with a hamstring injury, Burden entered the season playing catch-up. Rather than rushing the process, he focused on building trust with offensive play-caller Ben Johnson, quarterback Caleb Williams, and wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El. That patience paid off. As the season progressed, Burden transitioned from a rotational weapon into a reliable weekly target, no longer resembling a first-year player by the stretch run.
The second half of the season marked his breakout. Over his final seven games, Burden averaged 6.6 targets and 60.4 receiving yards per game. This represented a significant jump from the 2.8 targets and 29.5 yards he averaged through his first 10 contests. He posted two 100-yard performances — one in each half of the season — underscoring both his explosive ceiling and his growing consistency.
Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn ImagesHis first signature moment came in Week 3 against Dallas, when Burden hauled in three catches for 101 yards and a touchdown, including a 65-yard flea-flicker score that stood as the Bears’ longest reception of the season. The play marked Burden’s first NFL touchdown and also became the longest completion of Caleb Williams’ young career.
WATCH: Tom Brady Breaks Down Caleb Williams’ Flea-Flicker Touchdown to Luther Burden III
Burden delivered another statement performance late in the year, torching San Francisco for 138 yards and a touchdown on eight catches in Week 17, further cementing his role as a trusted weapon in high-leverage situations. And by season’s end, Burden was no longer viewed as a rookie finding his footing but as a foundational piece of the Bears’ offense, a dynamic playmaker whose explosiveness, professionalism, and growing rapport with Williams positioned him as a centerpiece moving forward.
By the Numbers
Receptions: 47 Targets: 60 Receiving Yards: 652 Receiving TDs: 2Luther Burden III’s Contract Status
(Contract details and figures are courtesy of Over The Cap)
Burden will enter the second year of his four-year, $10.96 million rookie deal that he signed with Chicago after being selected 39th overall by the Bears last April. The second-year wide receiver is scheduled to make $1.33 million in base salary and another $2.48 million in bonuses in 2026. Burden’s rookie deal is a huge win for the Bears from a value standpoint, with one of Caleb Williams’ favorite targets in 2025 accounting for just 0.8 percent of their cap space.
Mike Dinovo-Imagn ImagesTurning the Page
Luther Burden was an absolute steal for the Bears in the second round last April, and despite some early concerns, he was everything we could have hoped for and then some once he found his footing in Ben Johnson’s system.
LUTHER BURDEN III EARNS SPOT ON ESPN’S 2025 ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
Burden looks to be set up to be a critical weapon in Johnson’s offense in 2026 and beyond, much like fellow 2025 draft-mate Colston Loveland and Rome Odunze, who is heading into his third season in 2026. When it comes to pass-catching options, Williams has no shortage of dangerous weapons around him heading into next season.
With Burden and Loveland having a year in Johnson’s system under their belts, Odunze the same and (hopefully) healthy next season, and the potential return of DJ Moore, Chicago is positioned to have perhaps its most explosive group of pass-catching options … ever … in 2026.
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