Luther Burden may not have expected to land with the Chicago Bears in the 2025 NFL Draft. But with the wide receiver still available at Chicago’s No. 39 overall pick, the Bears couldn’t resist adding Burden to Ben Johnson’s new look offense.
With DJ Moore and Rome Odunze on the outside, Burden will likely start his NFL career in the slot. It’s a role he excelled at during his time at Missouri. Furthermore, with tight ends Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet on the roster, Burden is joining what should be a much more dynamic Chicago offense.
But the Bears will only go as far as Caleb Williams does. Chicago has spent their entire offseason ensuring the quarterback is in a place to succeed. Burden will now play a massive role in the former No. 1 overall pick’s development, and the wide receiver can’t wait to finally have the opportunity to work with Williams, via team writer Gabby Hajduk.
“I know a lot about [Caleb],” Burden said. “Me and him were supposed to be teammates before. So the world works in mysterious ways. So, I’m excited to finally unite with him and get to work.”
Burden had originally committed to Oklahoma alongside Williams. But after some consideration, the receiver decided to decommit and attend Missouri instead. Somehow their football destiny’s remained linked, as Williams and Burden will enter the NFL together on the Bears.
Luther Burden gives Chicago Bears, Caleb Williams a lethal threat
Giving Williams a multitude of elite pass catchers to throw to was a clear goal of Johnson and Chicago’s front office. Odunze and Moore will do most of their damage on the outside and will be opposing cornerbacks’ key focus. Kmet and Loveland form an elite tandem, providing athleticism and physicality in the short and intermediate game.
Where Burden comes in is as a true playmaker out of the slot. The wide receiver is best with the ball in open space. If opposing defenses are too focused on Chicago’s other options, Burden can find the opening and pick up a big gain. While he didn’t go in the first round, Burden was considered one of the best after-the-catch receivers in the entire 2025 class.
During his three years at Missouri, Burden caught 192 passes for 2,263 yards and 21 touchdowns. He broke out during the 2023 season, where the receiver set new career-highs in receptions (86), yardage (1,212) and touchdowns (nine). Burden was named First-team All-SEC.
His numbers did drop a bit during the 2024 campaign, but the receiver still had 61 receptions for 676 yards and six touchdowns. Burden doubled up his First-team All-SEC nominations as well. While there are clearly some parts of his game Burden still needs to develop, part of the issue was Missouri’s quarterback play.
The Bears are hopeful he won’t have that problem once he officially makes his NFL leap. Fans and analysts could be dazzled by Burden or any of Chicago’s playmakers abilities. But none of them will function at the top of their game is Williams struggles.
Burden is confident that won’t happen, and he is excited to begin his NFL quarterback playing with a quarterback on Williams level.
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