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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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There's arguably no wide receiver in the NFL entering the 2026 season with more hype than the Chicago Bears' Luther Burden III.
Burden was Chicago's second-round pick (No. 39 overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft and put up respectable rookie numbers, finishing with 652 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 47 catches, averaging 13.9 yards per reception. Those are strong totals considering he was buried on the depth chart behind DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and tight end Colston Loveland — he even saw fewer targets (60) than receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (65).
But now, Zaccheaus is gone, as is Moore, who racked up more than 360 targets across his three seasons in Chicago. Burden already looked like one of the most explosive young receivers in football on the touches he did get last season, and with even more targets now available in 2026, the ceiling feels higher than ever.
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It's not just the added opportunity generating buzz, though — it's his play style. According to Bears head coach Ben Johnson, Burden's game reminds him of Detroit Lions All-Pro receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
"St. Brown in Detroit, who I have a strong affinity for, he plays the game the same way," Johnson told Cassie Carlson of FOX 32. "I feel that from Luther. I know he wasn't a full-time starter for us a year ago, but the snaps that he did have, he's got that competitive edge and desire to be great. It's carried over into the spring and summer as well. He's been a regular in the building, working with our strength staff. He wants to be the most conditioned player on the team. Wants to be one of the strongest receivers on the team and just continues to soak in all the knowledge."
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Expectations for the Bears remain high in 2026 after an 11-6 season a year ago. Under Johnson, Chicago has become one of the better teams in the NFC, and Caleb Williams has emerged as one of the league's most promising young quarterbacks. With a play caller who worked closely with St. Brown during his time in Detroit now shaping Burden's development, the idea of Burden evolving into a similar type of weapon in Chicago is an exciting one.
Lined up alongside Odunze and Loveland in 2026, it's easy to envision this offense taking another step forward — and Burden cementing himself as one of the league's premier young receivers.
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