Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III is set to be a dynamic playmaker in the Bears offense, even as the team’s current fourth wide receiver on the depth chart.
The 39th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, Burden will serve as a unique complement alongside veterans DJ Moore and Rome Odunze as the team’s top options in the passing game for quarterback Caleb Williams.
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While he was held back by an injury during rookie minicamp and the preseason, Burden made a big impact in the team’s 38-0 win over the Buffalo Bills last weekend. Even after his three catches for 49 yards, Burden’s most impressive moments came as a blocker on two separate touchdown runs when he created space to pave the way for a Bears score.
During their sit-down with Kay Adams of the “Up and Adams” show this week, Odunze and Moore were asked about their rookie teammate, and Burden has gotten their attention and respect early on.
“For me, it’s just his comfortability out there in these first two games that he’s played,” Odunze said. “His first two NFL games and he just looks natural. He’s making moves and making people miss just like he used to do in college, all those things are super impressive. Just to see how quickly he’s learning and developing, it’s really good.”
Moore echoed Odunze’s sentiment, saying that the biggest factor he’s appreciated is Burden’s willingness to learn from everyone.
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“Him just being a sponge,” Moore said, “taking bits and pieces from everybody’s game he’s seeing in front of him right now, and just going out there and playing his butt off.”
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears rookie Luther Burden has impressed DJ Moore and Rome Odunze