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An Increased Role for Luther Burden III?

An Increased Role for Luther Burden III?

It sounds like the rookie wide receiver is earning his head coach's trust.

November 11, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes

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In a game where drops were an issue for the Chicago Bears, rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III stepped up down the stretch, hauling in a 27-yard catch ahead of the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter. It was part of a day in which Burden caught three passes for 51 yards in Chicago’s Week 10 victory against the New York Giants. It brought his season total to 16 catches (on 18 targets) for 222 yards and a touchdown. And perhaps more is on the way.

Sunday’s drop totals were costly in the moment but fluky in the long run. Olamide Zaccheaus (2), DJ Moore (1), D’Andre Swift (1), and Kyle Monangai (1) were all credited with drops on Sunday (via PFF), totaling half of the drops Bears receivers have accumulated all season (10). But I don’t see a reason for widespread concern there, and neither does Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson.

“You learn from it, you move on,” he said. “In my experience — and I’ve coached quarterbacks, I’ve coached receivers, I’ve coached tight ends on the offensive side — you can make things worse by going overboard on some of this stuff. And that’s not the intent.

“All those guys, they want to catch the football when it comes their way. We acknowledge the fact that there were a few of those that we could have hauled in. We need to do that, turn the page, let’s keep it moving. We’re going to be just fine.”

However, I do feel like there is a change that needs to be made in the passing game: getting Luther Burden III more opportunities. And the good news is, it looks like Ben Johnson is already working on making that happen.

FULL STORY:

Bears Rookie WR Luther Burden III Is Earning Ben Johnson's Trust

Luther Burden III is earning the trust of his play-caller and quarterback, making now feel like a perfect time for his role in’ offense to expand.

www.bleachernation.com/bears/2025/11/11/bears-luther-burden-iii

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