Luther Burden III Is Breaking Out

Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III continues to take advantage of his opportunities. Burden was effective throughout Sunday's blowout 31-3 Week 15 victory over the Cleveland Browns. The first-year wideout is developing into a legitimate difference maker.

Bears receiver Rome Odunze missed yet another contest after suffering a setback in warmups. Burden was elevated up the depth chart as a result. He was ready to capitalize.

Burden led the Bears in receptions (six), receiving yards (84), and targets (seven). He's arguably become Caleb Williams' most trusted go-to target in recent weeks. The chemistry between Burden and Williams has been evident on tape.

Burden's 84 receiving yards were the second-highest single-game total of his rookie season. The former Missouri standout produced 101 yards against the Dallas Cowboys back in Week 3. Sunday marked the second consecutive contest that Burden registered 65-plus receiving yards. He's starting to string performances together.

Burden's most explosive gain was a 40-yard reception with run-after-catch production. The 39th overall selection located the soft spot in Cleveland's zone coverage. Burden takes this 1st-and-10 from the Browns' 48-yard line inside the 10 after spinning out of the grasp of the initial tackler.

The effort on this 2nd-and-16 was outstanding. Burden displays some excellent stop-start acceleration while evading two tackles on what should have been a short gain. Burden gained 15 yards and the Bears converted 3rd-and-1 one play later.

Burden's YAC ability was a nightmare for the Browns' defense. He was incredibly productive while running routes on 50% of the Bears' dropback attempts. Burden is doing more than filling the WR2 role in Odunze's absence. He's playing like the Bears' future WR1.

Burden produced an individual EPA (Expected Points Added) per play of 0.41 against the Browns, according to RBSDM. His overall EPA was an extremely positive 2.90. The Bears' offense was more productive, efficient, and dangerous when Burden was on the field.

Burden created an average of 5.53 yards of separation on his targets, tied for second-most across Week 15, per Next Gen Stats. That's quite literally the definition of a wide-open and QB-friendly target for Williams. League average separation is 2.99 yards per target. Burden also created 8.3 yards after catch per reception, fifth-most this week, an average of 1.6 yards per catch above expected (6.8).

The 10-4 Bears are leading the NFC North after both Green Bay and Detroit lost on Sunday. Finding playmakers like Burden during the 2025 NFL Draft has helped head coach Ben Johnson completely revamp this offense's fortunes in one season. Burden is an underrated reason why the Bears are so competitive.

Odunze's injury created more opportunities for Burden in Johnson's offense. The rookie playmaker has taken full advantage of his spot starts. Burden is developing into a high-end wide receiver right before our eyes.