The Chicago Bears entered Day Two of the 2025 NFL Draft with no shortage of options. However, few could have predicted the splash they would make with their first of three second-round picks. Highly touted wide receiver Luther Burden III, who many expected to hear his name called on Day One, took to Instagram to share a late-night training session after going undrafted in the first round. Hours later, the Bears snatched him up with the 39th overall pick, sending a message to the rest of the league.
Luther Burden’s response to being left out of the first round of the NFL draft?
A midnight workout at #Mizzou’s practice facility pic.twitter.com/GD0X2AEIUK
— Joey Van Zummeren (@JoeyVZ_) April 25, 2025
Bears Luther Burden III Issues a Warning to the 31 Other Teams
Luther Burden III wasted no time making it clear that the 31 teams who passed on him made a costly mistake.
“I was pretty much fixing to get some work in while everybody was celebrating,” Burden said Friday night. “And I’m going to do the same thing tonight… the field’s an escape for me, always has been. I needed to hit the field to clear my head.”
Burden wants to be great, and showed the world he will put the work in to become great. After being drafted by the Bears, he expressed his excitement to be a part of the organization, and teammates are loving it, with Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze expressing their mutual feelings on Instagram.
General manager Ryan Poles said, “It was clear he was the most talented player on the board,” and mentioned his run-after-catch is elite and the best in the draft class.
The chemistry between Burden and Williams could be electric. “I know a lot about [Caleb],” Burden said. “Me and him were supposed to be teammates before. The world works in mysterious ways. I’m excited to finally unite with him and get to work.”
Outlook in Chicago
Over three seasons at Missouri, Luther Burden III started 34 games, totaling 192 receptions for 2,263 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also only had three drops last season and finished first among WRs with 50+ targets and 30 missed tackles forced. In fact, 49% of catches of Burden’s catches resulted in a missed tackle, which was first in the draft class.
His versatility, both as a rusher with 34 carries for 234 yards and four touchdowns and as a returner with a 78-yard punt return touchdown as a true freshman in 2022, makes him the perfect gadget weapon for head coach Ben Johnson.
In Chicago, Burden joins a loaded offensive arsenal featuring Cole Kmet, 2025 first-rounder Colston Loveland, DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and D’Andre Swift. With so many weapons around him, Burden will often find himself matched up against a defense’s second or third-best cornerback, a mismatch the Bears are eager to exploit. To add on, practicing against cornerbacks like Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, and Kyler Gordon will only accelerate his development.
Burden is a great all-around athlete with top-tier route-running abilities that will thrive in the slot. Put the ball in his hands and let him do the rest.
The Bears with a STEAL in Luther Burden III
Caleb Williams gets another weapon in Chicago pic.twitter.com/oReZsVvZ0O
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) April 25, 2025
Last Word on Bears WR Luther Burden III
Despite not needing a wide receiver, Ryan Poles and company didn’t let that stop them from drafting the best player available. Luther Burden III is coming into a tremendous environment to maximize his potential and prove that the NFL made a serious mistake by letting him slip out of the first round.
Don’t be surprised if Burden becomes one of Caleb Williams’ favorite targets next season.
Main Image: Stephanie Amador Blo – USA Today Sports
