Bears Coach Hypes Young WR Ahead of New Season

Chicago's Ben Johnson believes Luther Burden can take his game to the next level in 2026.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 11:05pm

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Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson is high on second-year wide receiver Luther Burden, believing the young playmaker can make a big impact on offense in the upcoming 2026 NFL season. Burden showed promise as a rookie, and Johnson plans to get the ball in his hands even more to unlock his full potential.

Why it matters

The Bears are coming off an impressive 11-6 season and NFC North division title, and they're hoping Burden can be a key part of their continued success and push for a deeper playoff run. Developing young talent like Burden is crucial for the Bears to maintain their momentum.

The details

Burden was Chicago's second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and he played 15 games as a rookie, making five starts. He had 652 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns on 47 catches, while also adding 37 rushing yards. Johnson believes Burden's ability to make plays after the catch is one of his biggest strengths, and the Bears coach plans to feature him more prominently in the offense this upcoming season.

  • The Bears finished the 2025 regular season with an 11-6 record, their best since 2018.
  • Chicago clinched the NFC North division title for the first time in 8 years.
  • In the 2025 NFL playoffs, the Bears defeated the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round before losing to the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional round.

The players

Ben Johnson

The head coach of the Chicago Bears, leading the team to an 11-6 record and NFC North division title in 2025.

Luther Burden

A second-year wide receiver for the Chicago Bears, who had 652 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns as a rookie in 2025.

Caleb Williams

The starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears.

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What they’re saying

“He is a dynamic playmaker. He's got some of the best run after catch in the game right now. We need to continue to get the ball in his hands as often as we possibly can.”

— Ben Johnson, Head Coach, Chicago Bears

What’s next

The Bears will look to build on their successful 2025 campaign and make a deeper playoff run in 2026, with Luther Burden expected to play a key role in the offense.

The takeaway

The Bears' faith in young talent like Luther Burden shows their commitment to sustained success, as they aim to develop their roster and build on last season's division title. Burden's potential breakout could be a major boost for Chicago's offense in the new season.