Chicago Bears: Coach sounds off nasty Luther Burden III criticism from former player

ESPN’s NFL analyst Matt Miller thinks the Chicago Bears selected a steal in the 2024 draft when they added Luther Burden III with the No. 39 pick. Before the 2024 season, the Missouri wide receiver was expected to be a first-round pick in April.

Quarterback Brady Cook’s struggles last season didn’t help Burden’s draft stock, as he finished second on the team in receiving with 676 yards and six touchdowns. Burden was the Tigers’ leading receiver in 2023 with 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns.

Three-time All-Pro receiver Steve Smith recently criticized Burden’s performance on tape, and Burden’s head coach at Missouri came to his defense on Wednesday.

Steve Smith explained why the top WR prospect fell to Chicago Bears

During a recent episode of 89, Smith told James Palmer of Bleacher Report that Burden dropped to the second round for multiple reasons, including a nasty allegations that he takes plays off and shied away from stiff competition.

“He didn’t run at his pro day, I don’t believe, because he didn’t feel like he needed to, even though his quarterback needed some help, he decided he wasn’t gonna participate,” Smith said. “A lot of people are talking about that. That’s why guys are dropping…

“If he doesn’t get the ball when he believes he should, it comes unfocused. Explosive with the ball in his hands, you get a lot of usage out of them. At times, they seem to force the ball to them. This is the criticism right now. Against bigger and physical teams, didn’t answer the bell with the same energy.”

Luther Burden III defended by former head coach

During an episode of “Rahimi & Harris” on 670 The Score on Wednesday, host Marshall Harris asked Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz about Smith’s comments. Drinkwtiz said Smith has “his own issues” to worry about and said the tape was good enough for general manager Ryan Poles.

“He’s got his own issues to worry about,” Drinkwtiz said of Burden. “I’m not worried about somebody else’s opinion about Luther Burden’s tape. The Chicago Bears liked the tape enough and believed in it. He’s an all-conference player, All-American player. Everybody’s got haters and critics, so I mean, I don’t really care.”

Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz’s response to Steve Smith’s criticism of new Bears receiver Luther Burden III: “He’s got his own issues to worry about. I’m not worried about somebody else’s opinion of Luther Burden’s tape. The Chicago Bears liked the tape enough and believed in it.” pic.twitter.com/BxZgl3lr17

— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) April 30, 2025

Burden earned second-team All-SEC honors in 2023 and 2024. He earned a second-team All-America selection by the Associated Press in 2023.

Burden is coming into a loaded room at wide receiver in Chicago with DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Tyler Scott, Deven Duvernay, and Olamide Zaccheaus. He’s going to have to compete in every rep at practice and every snap in the regular season if he’s going to get touches in the league.

Head coach Ben Johnson made it clear after the draft that how skilled players perform without the ball would determine where the ball goes during the game. Burden must stay focused on an offense that drafted tight end Colston Loveland in the first round and has Cole Kmet wanting receptions in addition to the receiver corps.

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