Bears' rookie Luther Burden turning heads despite slow start to 2025 season

Burden's ascent up the depth chart has been slow and steady since joining the team as a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Initially slotted behind Chicago's top three wideouts -- Rome Odunze, DJ Moore, and Olimade Zaccheaus -- Burden has earned more reps and has unseated Zaccheaus as the No. 3 wideout in recent weeks.

During Week 14's loss to the Green Bay Packers, it was Burden who stepped into Odunze's role (Odunze missed the game with a foot injury) as Caleb Williams' favorite wide receiver.

Burden ended the game with four catches for 67 yards. He had a team-high six targets, too.

Luther Burden was still outsnapped by Zaccheaus -- 55 to 50. But there was no doubt he was the alpha wide receiver on the field. And, yes, he shared the field with DJ Moore.

Moore ended Week 14 with only one catch for -4 yards.

MORE: Colin Cowherd says Bears till legit despite loss to Packers

Now, entering Week 15, Burden has emerged as one of Pro Football Focus's top-15 rookies of the 2025 season. It's a remarkable acknowledgement for a player who, at best, was given part-time reps until now.

Burden ranks No. 11.

"The 22-year-old second-round pick has now caught 30 of 40 targets for 395 yards," PFF's Lauren Gray wrote. "He has moved the chains 16 times and has racked up 11 plays of 15-plus yards. Burden is the fourth-most-targeted Bears receiver and leads the team in several categories, including catch rate (75.0%), threat rate (22.6%) and passer rating when targeted (114.1). He’s averaging 7.0 yards after the catch per reception and 2.23 yards per route run with five forced missed tackles — all team highs. He also leads the group in PFF receiving grade (76.9)."

Burden has left no doubt that he will be a critical factor in Ben Johnson's offense during the rest of the 2025 season, and an even more crucial piece in 2026 and beyond.