Luther Burden: Everything you need to know

Speaking with the media Thursday, coach Ben Johnson said he's "buying Burden stock right now" after a strong start to the Bears' offseason program, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports. "Yesterday, he had numerous explosive plays," Johnson continued. "I'm really happy with him." Burden has had one of the biggest hype trains of the offseason after Chicago traded DJ Moore to the Bills back in March. As a rookie last season, Burden averaged 2.69 yards per route run, the highest mark for a first-year player since 2016, and only Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba posted better yards-per-route numbers in 2025. With Moore out of the picture, Burden is expected to play in all two-wide sets alongside Rome Odunze this season. In one of the league's more explosive offenses, Burden's arrow is pointing upward in a big way.

Burden has less competition for playing time and targets after the Bears traded DJ Moore to Buffalo, Patrick Finley of The Chicago Sun-Times reports. Burden would've been a popular 2026 breakout candidate even if the Bears had kept Moore, who was targeted on just 16.0 percent of his routes last season. Burden had a team-high 26.1 percent target rate while ranking fourth among all qualified pass catchers with 2.83 yards per route, but with a mere 41 percent route share across 15 regular-season games. His playing time and production improved as the season progressed, with Burden catching at least three passes in each of his final 10 appearances (including two playoff games). With Moore and Olamide Zaccheaus (Falcons) no longer playing for Chicago, the passing attack figures to flow through Burden, WR Rome Odunze and TE Colston Loveland.

Burden secured three of seven targets for 24 yards during Sunday's 20-17 overtime loss to the Rams in the divisional round. He also ran the ball once for a gain of zero yards. Burden drew the third-most targets of any Bears' skill-position player Sunday, trailing only Colston Loveland (concussion) and DJ Moore, but he struggled to get much going versus Los Angeles' stout defense and finished fifth on the team in terms of receiving yards. While Burden was relatively quiet in his two postseason showings, he's decidedly coming off an impressive rookie campaign. Across 15 regular-season appearances Burden tallied a 47-652-2 line on 60 targets, including two 100-yard games. He also rushed six times for 37 yards and compiled 223 yards as a kick returner. Burden's YAC ability, chemistry with Caleb Williams and fit in head coach Ben Johnson's offense promise to make him a popular Year 2 breakout candidate.