Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Bears rookie still not practicing amid injury, contract issue

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Jun 3, 2025 5:01 PM ET

The Chicago Bears held their first day of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday. While all players were present, not everyone participated in practice.

The Bears’ top pick in April’s draft , Colston Loveland, won’t be a full participant until training camp as he recovers from a shoulder surgery he had on Jan. 29. The Bears’ second-round pick, wide receiver Luther Burden III, missed voluntary organized team activities (OTAs) in May due to a soft tissue injury.

Bears had three players sidelined on Tuesday

Per Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune, Burden, cornerback Kyler Gordon and linebacker T.J. Edwards didn’t participate in practice on Tuesday due to soft-tissue injuries.

Bears wrapped up day one of veteran minicamp practice. Kyler Gordon, T.J. Edwards and Luther Burden remain sidelined by what Ben Johnson described as soft-tissue injuries.

— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) June 3, 2025

Luther Burden III has not signed his rookie deal

Edwards and Gordon recently signed new contract extensions with the Bears. Ultimately, it's not the end of the world that the veterans are not participating in a June practice.

Burden not participating is more concerning. In addition to his injury, he is missing practice as his agent negotiates his contract. As a rookie, he is missing critical opportunities to build chemistry with quarterback Caleb Williams during OTAs.

While the value of Burden’s four-year, $11.1 million contract isn’t up for dispute, the rookie is one of three Bears' second-round draft picks who have not signed their rookie deals while discussing terms with the front office.

Burden, defensive tackle Shemar Turner, and offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo observed that the top two picks in the second round (Jayden Higgins, Texans, and Carson Schwesinger, Browns) received fully guaranteed contracts, which appear to be hindering the finalization process.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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