Bears receive bold Luther Burden III prediction that has a decent chance to come true

The Chicago Bears made a lot of offensive changes over the last two offseasons, with Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III getting drafted last year, and this past offseason trading away DJ Moore.

With Rome Odunze and Burden now the top two wide receivers in Chicago, that new duo is going to have to help Caleb Williams as much as possible in 2026.

Sports Illustrated's Connor Orr is predicting that Burden will have an incredible sophomore season and have a better season than most of the receivers taken before him in the 2025 NFL Draft. It's a bold one, but this prediction has a chance to come true.

Why Bears' Luther Burden III prediction has a decent chance to come true

"Luther Burden III will have a better statistical season than all but one of the wide receivers drafted before him in 2025," Orr predicts. "However, he will outpace Tetairoa McMillan, Matthew Golden, and Jayden Higgins in a star-cementing 2026 campaign."

Orr is only predicting that Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, of the four receivers taken before Burden, will have a better season than the Bears' second-round pick.

But, Burden being predicted to outperform McMillan, the Offensive Rookie of the Year, along with Golden and Higgins, is still a notable prediction.

What makes this prediction a lot more interesting is that, while a bold one, it does have a legitimate chance of coming true this upcoming season.

It's year two of Ben Johnson's offense, and it wouldn't be a surprise if the Bears made another leap offensively. Another key here is that Moore was traded to the Buffalo Bills, opening the path for large usage for Burden in 2026.

MORE: Bears need Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland to step up with DJ Moore traded

Add in that Odunze had a foot issue last season that lingered, and might not be completely back to normal in 2026, and it wouldn't be a surprise if Burden broke out in 2026.

Orr does predict that Egbuka will have the better season than Burden, thanks to an even-bolder prediction that the Buccaneers WR will lead the NFL in receiving touchdowns in 2026.

But seeing Burden break out into a star and have a better season than McMillan, Golden, and Higgins would not be a surprise whatsoever.

He's going to be more involved in 2026 in what should be an offense progressing in year two under Johnson. While this Burden prediction might be a little bold, it's one that has a realistic chance of actually happening this upcoming 2026 season.

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