Ben Johnson Backs Luther Burden After 10.9 Yards-Per-Target Rookie Season

16 articles · Updated · Chicago Sun-Times · May 29

Thursday’s endorsement followed a sharp start to Bears OTAs, where Luther Burden repeatedly generated explosive plays and quickly handled a newly installed route in Ben Johnson’s offense.
That jump has been driven by a healthier, steadier offseason: Burden stayed near Halas Hall, worked with Caleb Williams at USC, and entered spring practices knowing the playbook after rib and hamstring issues slowed him last year.
Chicago’s need for that growth is immediate after trading DJ Moore in March, less than two years after giving the veteran a four-year, $110 million deal.
Burden already flashed late in 2025, producing 481 of his 652 receiving yards after Nov. 1 and posting 138 yards against San Francisco, while leading qualifying rookie receivers at 10.9 yards per target.
The Bears still spread targets in Johnson’s scheme, but Burden is being asked to expand from catch-and-run touches into a fuller route tree as Chicago looks for a new lead receiver.

Is Luther Burden's breakout potential worth the massive void left by star receiver DJ Moore?

What did coaches see in Burden's offseason to justify trading a star and fueling massive breakout expectations?

With three rising stars in the offense, who will emerge as Caleb Williams's true number one target?