Chicago Bears named worst landing spot for promising rookie

With Ben Johnson taking over as head coach, the Chicago Bears made sure to stock their offense with playmakers. However, analysts are beginning to wonder if there are too many cooks in Chicago’s kitchen.

Ultimately, that is a problem Johnson will take on any day. After an anemic offensive showing in 2024, the Bears want to take a massive step forward offensively. Giving quarterback Caleb Williams a boatload of talented pass catchers only makes the Bears more dynamic.

But, it may make it difficult for individual players to shine on a weekly basis. One week DJ Moore might be the star. The next week it could be Rome Odunze, or Colston Loveland, the list goes on. If everything clicks as Johnson is planning, then each pass catcher is still in line for strong seasons individually.

It could be easy for a player like Luther Burden to fall through the cracks, however. Selected with the No. 39 pick, Burden is entering the NFL with a chip on his shoulder after falling out of day one. Johnson and the Bears were elated to land him and add him to the offense. However, Alex Kay of Bleacher Report argues Chicago is Burden’s worst landing spot in terms of reaching his full star potential.

“Luther Burden III is one of the more polarizing prospects in the 2025 class,” Kay wrote. “While the potential is clearly there for him to become an NFL star, there’s also a chance he ends up becoming the latest in a long line of the Chicago Bears’ early-round draft busts.”

“Although we haven’t seen exactly what head coach Ben Johnson has planned for the offense he’s installing around promising QB Caleb Williams, it’s unlikely the system will result in a No. 3 receiver putting up big numbers—especially after said receiver struggled in his final collegiate season,” Kay concluded.

Chicago Bears banking on Luther Burden 

With Moore and Odunze on the roster, Burden was a luxury pick in the second-round; especially after taking Loveland in the first. However, none of their top running back prospects were available. Chicago decided to go with the best player available on their board, creating a fearsome three-headed monster at wide receiver.

Johnson will need to figure out the best way to utilize Burden. It seems likely that most of his production comes from the slot, where he excelled at Missouri. But once Johnson instills the gameplan, Burden must be prepared to operate at maximum capacity. He was dinged in the pre-draft process for his willingness to take plays off. If Burden can take on a versatile role under Johnson, and prove he can contribute on every down, Chicago won’t get much flack for their No. 39 overall pick.

While he may have fallen out of the first, no one is doubting Burden’s playmaking ability. Over his three years at Missouri, the receiver caught 192 passes for 2,263 yards and 21 seasons. He had at least six touchdowns all three seasons with the Tigers. Furthermore, Burden’s breakout came as a junior, when he set new career-highs in receptions (86), yards (1,212) and touchdowns (nine). He was named First-team All-SEC in 2023 and 2024.

If the Bears really didn’t have a plan for Burden, they would have traded down. The fact they turned in his card shows they’re planning a true offensive explosion. He may not be the first option some games, but Johnson will be planning for ways to get Burden the ball in open space early and often.