Burden's "Hungry" Offseason Impresses Coaches and Teammates
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden has been turning heads this offseason, drawing praise from head coach Ben Johnson, running back D'Andre Swift, and wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El for his renewed approach and focus.
"I am buying Luther Burden stock right now," said Ben Johnson, expressing confidence in the receiver's trajectory.
"Less thinking, more playing, more explosive plays, more excitement."
— Luther Burden on his faster play this season
A Promising Finish to a Rookie Year
Burden recorded 752 scrimmage yards in his rookie season, with more than half of that production coming in the final six games. This late-season surge has helped fuel expectations for a bigger role in 2025.
Running back D'Andre Swift noted that the hunger was evident from the start. "I sensed it last year, when he first walked in the building." Swift described Burden as a "young man that's hungry."
New Opportunity in the Receiving Corps
The Bears traded veteran wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills in March, creating a significant opening in the receiving corps. Burden credited Moore for helping shape his professional approach, saying Moore taught him "how to be a pro."
Coaches See Growth and Confidence
Wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El sees a more decisive player this spring. "He looks like what we saw coming out of college, and obviously, now, there's no hesitation."
Johnson added a reminder of what the team saw on tape before the draft: "When we drafted him, we saw an explosive athlete who was really dangerous with the ball in his hands."
Burden's Simple Philosophy
For his part, Burden keeps his mindset straightforward. "I simply comes to work daily and does my job." He attributes his faster play to "less thinking, more playing, more explosive plays, more excitement."