Bears 2nd year WR named 'breakout wide receiver' favorite

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At this point of the Chicago Bears offseason, the Luther Burden hype train has left every station imaginable and run completely off the tracks. And yet, the buzz surrounding the second-year wide receiver refuses to die down.

This time, ESPN’s Andrew Hawkins was the one to sing Burden’s praises. He was quick to credit the wide receiver’s physical game while pointing out the groundwork he laid as a rookie.

“I think he is going to be the breakout wide receiver of the 2026 season,” Hawkins said. “When you watch him last year, and he wasn’t a true point of the offense until midway to later, he almost led the team [in receptions] even in a minimal offensive targets and snaps. He does it in yards after the catch, contested catches, he runs great routes. I think he’s going to turn into a true number one and this offense is going to take a big leap.”

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As a rookie, Burden caught 47 passes for 652 yards and two touchdowns over 15 games. He ranked third on the team in receptions and fourth in yardage. And to Hawkins’ point, that’s even with the Bears slowly working him into the offense. He received three or more targets twice in his first seven games. Burden made at least three grabs in his final eight games with at least five in six of his last seven.

Now the Bears have opened up more opportunities by trading away DJ Moore. Burden has more experience playing under head coach Ben Johnson and catching passes from quarterback Caleb Williams. It’s clear to see why Burden has been deemed a potential breakout star.

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