Bears rookie reveals true reason behind jersey number choice

The Chicago Bears' rookie minicamp is underway, and the media is getting their first look at the newest class of Bears players. One Bears receiver shed some light on his jersey number selection.

The Bears selected Luther Burden III in the second round of this year's draft. Burden went to the University of Missouri and had 2,263 yards and 21 touchdowns in three years. He has chosen to wear No.87, but it was clearly not his first choice.

"All the good numbers are gone," Burden told reporters.

Burden wore the No.3 in college. That number is retired for the Bears in honor of Bronko Nagurski, who played in the 1930s and 40s. Nos. 5, 7, 28, 34, 40, 41, 42, 51, 56, 61, 66, 77 and 89 are also retired.

The last player to wear No.87 for the Bears was Jesper Horsted in 2021. Burden will have the opportunity to write his own legacy in No.87. However, players change numbers all of the time, so there is no guarantee Burden will stick with it for a long time.

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Regardless of what number he wears, Burden could be a huge part of Ben Johnson's offense early on. The team moved on from Keenean Allen in favor of drafting Burden. His play style is unique and could complement D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze well. Johnson had high praise for Burden after the Bears selected him.

"Luther? Stud. You saw the highlights, right? He's a playmaker waiting to happen," Johnson told the media after the Bears picked Burden. "For 6-foot, 200+ pounds, it's rare to see someone with his movement skills. He can stop on a dime, and accelerate just like that. Give him a little bit of space and he can make big things happen. A dangerous player, weapon, call him what you want but I see big things in his future."

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