The Chicago Bears came into the season looking like they had an embarrassment of riches at the skill positions, but that kind of crowd only makes the early returns harder to read. With their starting quarterback missing most of the year, it’s been tough to fairly sort out who’s struggling, who’s merely waiting, and who still needs time to settle in.
Luther Burden III fits squarely into that second group for now. He hasn’t matched expectations, even in games where the offense has put up points, but this doesn’t look like a situation worth panicking over yet. Once Caleb Williams is back, Burden should be in a better spot to show what he can really do.
The numbers suggest there’s still real production underneath the slow start. Burden has 23 catches on 35 targets for 266 yards and one touchdown, already putting him on track to blow past his 2025 output. As a rookie, he finished with 47 receptions for 652 yards and two scores.
Even with the uneven stretches, his per-game numbers have actually climbed. He’s averaging 53.2 yards and 4.6 catches per game, compared with 3.1 receptions and 43.5 yards per contest. That said, there’s a catch: most of his production last year came after the midpoint of the season, so those averages don’t tell the whole story.
That slow-start pattern matters here, especially because Ben Johnson eased him in last season. If Burden needed time before, there’s not much reason to treat this year like a crisis.
He’s not the only one in this offense who has been quieter than expected. Rome Odunze and Colston Loveland have also had stretches where their impact has been limited.
In some ways, that’s just the reality of a roster packed with playmakers. Somebody’s always going to be squeezed.
And this isn’t a normal season anyway. The Bears have had to keep going without their quarterback, which changes everything. Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum bring different strengths and weaknesses, and the coaching staff has had to build the plan around whoever is available.
Burden has also drawn attention off the field lately. Before the loss to the Green Bay Packers, he tried to poke the bear, then kept it going with some online beef with Anthony Davis and by bragging about leading the team in receiving yards when he couldn’t even crack 50.
That’s not a great look. Still, the hope is that it lights a fire.
This offense is at its best when Burden is forcing missed tackles and turning catches into extra yardage. If the quarterback situation settles down, it shouldn’t be long before he looks like himself again.
In Other News...
Bears Head To Atlanta With A Defensive Test They Can't Afford To Fail
The Bears head to Atlanta in Week 6 with a defense that has a real assignment on its hands, and the timing is less than ideal. Chicago is trying to steady itself on the road while keeping an eye on Caleb Williams, who returned to full practice participation, even though his game status remains up in the air.
The bigger immediate concern is on the other side of the ball, where the Bears will have to sort out life without Montez Sweat. His suspension leaves Chicago thinner up front against Bijan Robinson, and it also puts more pressure on the secondary to keep Drake London in check, with Jaylon Johnson and Dillon Thieneman expected to be central to the plan. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Defense Suddenly Feels Like A Ryan Poles Deadline Test
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With Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo both dealing with injuries, the edge picture is even thinner, and the run defense has been giving up too much ground. That is why the trade market is suddenly part of the conversation, with a handful of possible defensive targets being weighed for fit, cost and availability as the Bears try to decide how aggressive they want to be before the deadline. [Read more 🡒]
Cole Kmet Trade Talk Is Back As Bears Face Bigger Roster Question
The Bears came into the season hoping their tight end room would give them a reliable layer of support for a young offense, but through the early going, Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet have not delivered much production. Kmet, in particular, has seen his role tilt more toward the dirty work that coaches value, leaning on his blocking and veteran steadiness even as his offensive involvement has faded since Week 1.
That has nudged his name back into trade chatter, especially with Chicago still sorting out broader roster needs. There have been no confirmed talks or offers, but the logic is easy to follow: if the Bears decide they need help elsewhere, moving a player with Kmets experience would at least be a way to reallocate resources while also creating more room for the team to address a bigger question down the line. [Read more 🡒]