Luther Burden III is teasing a jersey switch as Bears training camp continues, aiming for a single-digit number when the roster is trimmed to 53 players. He isn’t worried about making the team, but about finding a number that fits him better. The Bears gave him No. 87 after the draft, a number previously worn by Hall of Fame candidate Harlon Hill and later by Muhsin Muhammad and Tom Waddle, and Burden says it doesn’t feel right.
We’ll likely see Burden with a new digit once the roster is cut, and the move would come alongside the rookie’s push to earn playing time. In Sunday night’s practice, Burden showed why Chicago is excited about his ceiling, snagging three passes for 49 yards. One notable play was an out route that he turned up the right sideline for a 21-yard gain after slipping past Bills cornerback Dorian Strong. If Burden has space, coaches believe he can be dangerous with the ball in his hands.
Randle El, Chicago’s wide receivers coach, has seen the same thing from Burden on tape: when he gets the ball, he can light up. “If I get too much space, there’s going to be a problem,” Burden said, signaling how his play style could become a daily challenge for opposing defenses. The Bears view him as part of a crowded but talented wide receiver group and aren’t afraid to let him prove himself early in his career.
Head coach Ben Johnson framed Burden’s path as a competitive one, emphasizing that any week can create opportunity for a player who earns it. “It’s a beautiful thing about competition, isn’t it, that each week you’ve got to earn what you get on game day,” Johnson said. “That’s exactly how we set this up.” Burden’s selection at No. 39 overall wasn’t about filling a need so much as adding another tool for the offense to deploy.
Burden’s background is the kind of pedigree teams covet. A former top-10 national recruit, he was a standout at Missouri, catching 86 passes for 1,212 yards as a sophomore and 61 for 676 as a junior. Much of his Missouri production came on short passes—about three-quarters of his grabs were within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage—so NFL-ready routes and yards after catch are a focal point for his development in Chicago.
Burden also faced a stumble before camp, injuring a hamstring during organized team activities and starting camp on the sideline. When he returned, he still needed time to master every detail of the playbook. That showed in a late-camp misstep Sunday night when he shuffled his feet on a snap and drew an illegal shift penalty that the Bills declined.
The Bears appreciate his work ethic as he works toward consistency. Tyson Bagent, Chicago’s backup quarterback, underscored the reality for a rookie: “The most important play is the next play, especially for a young man like him early in his career. It’s just about banking as many reps as possible.” Burden has responded by arriving early to meetings and staying late to catch up.
Burden’s progress will be watched closely as the season opener approaches in about three weeks. He says he’s getting more comfortable each day and remains determined to prove he can contribute in multiple ways, including blocking in the run game.
Additional remarks to boost the article:
– The jersey-number drama reflects Burden’s desire to establish a clear, marketable identity with the Bears. If he lands a single-digit number, it could help fans connect his growing potential with a sharp, memorable nickname or branding.
– The coach’s trust-building emphasis mirrors a common rookie arc: gain the confidence of the quarterback and coaches through reliable routes, precise routes, and the willingness to contribute on all phases of the game.
– Burden’s college background provides a lens on his NFL trajectory: early in his pro career, the Bears are prioritizing route-running nuance and hands after a successful but yards-after-catch-focused college game.
Summary: Luther Burden III is making a case to be a major playmaking option for the Bears, with a focus on growing his route technique, blocking, and situational awareness while shopping for a new jersey number after the roster shakeout. His early showing, coupled with strong coaching support and his own work ethic, suggests a promising rookie season ahead if he continues to sharpening the basics and earning reps. A hopeful note: if Burden continues to adapt and pair his hands with the ability to create separation, he could become a reliable weapon in Chicago’s offense this year.