Ben Johnson Says Luther Burden III Has Earned Bigger Role in Bears’ Offense
Improved practice execution has pushed the rookie ahead of Olamide Zaccheaus.
Overview
- Johnson said Burden has earned increased snaps, citing sharper route detail, correct alignments and growing consistency in practice.
- Burden’s usage has climbed to a career-high 48.5% of offensive snaps against the Giants and 44% against the Vikings, with 33 snaps in each game as he worked ahead of Zaccheaus.
- Caleb Williams pointed to Burden’s late 27-yard grab versus the Giants as a pivotal play that affirmed the quarterback’s trust.
- For the season, Burden has 19 receptions for 249 yards and one touchdown, with a larger share of his targets coming in the past two games.
- The Bears’ rookie class is driving production, with Chicago the NFL’s only team featuring a rookie RB over 400 rushing yards, a rookie TE over 300 receiving yards and a rookie WR over 200.