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The Chicago Bears are trying to fast-track their way into being Super Bowl contenders. Coach Ben Johnson knows that Caleb Williams and the rest of the squad have a great foundation already despite their NFL Divisional Round loss to the Los Angeles Rams. To reach that point of title contention, someone has to take a superstar leap aside from the quarterback. It looks like Luther Burden is taking up that challenge.
Coach Johnson even believes that Burden is capable of equaling Detroit Lions' Amon-Ra St. Brown in the 2026 NFL season.
Bears HC Johnson knows Burden can jump to equal St. Brown in NFL WR rankings
Luther Burden is a great wide receiver. The Bears selected him with the 39th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and his numbers are fairly solid. Coach Ben Johnson thinks he is capable of more. He believes that the second-year offensive weapon will make a big leap to help Caleb Williams and the rest of the Bears go on a rampage. More than that, he also claims Burden can equal Detroit Lions' Amon-Ra St. Brown in terms of mentality and impact.
Luther Burden vs Tyrique Stevenson 1on1pic.twitter.com/YupDpJ4Xn7
— Pick 6 Pack (@Pick6PackFB) August 3, 2026Why is that the case? Coach Johnson outlined that it's Burden's mentality that sets him apart from other wide receivers, via Cassie Carlson of FOX 32.
"They flip a switch when they go on the field, and they feel like they’re invincible and they’re the best players out there. St. Brown in Detroit, who I have a strong affinity for, he plays the game the same way. I feel that from Luther. I know he wasn’t a full-time starter for us a year ago, but the snaps that he did have, he’s got that competitive edge and desire to be great. It’s carried over into the spring and summer as well," the Bears head coach said.
Let's actually compare Burden and St. Brown's numbers as they stand at the moment. In St. Brown's rookie season with the Lions, he managed to get 90 receptions on 119 targets while producing 912 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. Burden, on the other hand, only got 60 targets to secure 47 receptions, 652 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns. Not to mention, he also played two games in the Bears' playoff run.
Coach Johnson does have a point. The Bears wide receiver has efficiency and postseason experience on his side. But to say that Burden will equal St. Brown by his second year may be too lofty an expectation. The Lions saw their receiver reach 1,161 receiving yards on a 62.3% receiving success rate by that time. If it is true that Burden can reach similar numbers, Williams and the Bears will be a team to look out for.
"He’s been a regular in the building, working with our strength staff. He wants to be the most conditioned player on the team. Wants to be one of the strongest receivers on the team and continues to soak in all the knowledge," Coach Johnson added.
A lot of NFL players want to shed off the rookie skin as soon as possible. Hopefully, the Bears' desire to fast-track Burden's development to match St. Brown and become immediate Super Bowl contenders does more good than harm.
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