Something is happening at Halas Hall. Remember, Luther Burden didn't start practicing until midway through this week. He'd been nursing a hamstring injury that had kept him out of spring practices at the start of training camp. Despite that, buzz has built that the rookie receiver is already tearing up drills. His speed, acceleration, and route-running skills are shining. Starting defensive backs can't cover him. For all the talk about him being behind in understanding the offense, it doesn't seem to matter.
Jeff Hughes of Sports Mockery spoke to multiple people inside he organization. Rest assured, the buzz is real. Even people who know football to the deepest depths admit Burden isn't some camp fluke. His play speed has even surprised some of the people who drafted him. It gets better, though. Hughes spoke to executives outside the organization as well. They've echoed the same thing. Say what you want about Burden's personality and work ethic. When he's locked in, he can play with anybody.
This week, I have heard from multiple people, and they have said the same thing to me. And what they have said is that Luther Burden is a player. No flamboyant language, no exaggerated tones, no lofty statistical expectations for his rookie year. I have simply heard in just straightforward language, Luther Burden is a player.
And I will tell you, one of the people I've heard that from is in a different organization. The Bears think they may have stumbled onto one here.
Luther Burden could be what the Bears have been missing.
They've done a good job of acquiring talent since Poles arrived in 2022. Several good players like Kyler Gordon, Jaquan Brisker, Braxton Jones, Darnell Wright, and Gervon Dexter have joined the ranks. Yet through all of that, they still haven't hit a true home run. They haven't added a star. Maybe Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze cross that threshold, but time will tell. Luther Burden already feels like he is in that category. Yes, it's early. He has plenty of proving to do. Still, the eyes rarely deceive. The receiver looks like he's operating at a different speed from everybody else. Stars typically do that. Maybe things get sidetracked by injuries or personality issues. It's the NFL. Even so, Burden is positioned to reach heights no Bears receiver has in at least a decade, maybe longer.
