Chicago Bears have ‘terrifying’ threat on offense

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Chicago Bears have ‘terrifying’ threat on offense

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Jul 8, 2026 5:22 PM ET

The Chicago Bears shouldn’t miss a beat after trading DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills this offseason.

In years past, the Bears giving up a WR1 would have been a crushing loss for the offense. However, Chicago traded Moore for cap reasons, and it wouldn’t have made sense to keep the expensive receiver with younger and cheaper options on the roster.

Receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III are on rookie contracts. Tight end Colston Loveland led the Bears in receiving last season, and Cole Kmet could have a bigger role in 2026.

Ben Solak of ESPN named Burden as a “breakout candidate” for the upcoming season, arguing he should be a “terrifying” threat to produce yards after the catch.

Luther Burden III could be Chicago Bears new star

Dec 14, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (10) celebrates after a first down during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

“Burden was only a part-time player as a rookie and committed plenty of mental errors, but he was highly productive on a per-route basis,” Solak wrote. “His 2.92 yards per route run ties A.J. Brown for the best rookie number of the past 15 years.

“Burden was largely a screen-and-shot player to start the 2025 season, but he started to get more opportunities on crossers and underneath routes as coach Ben Johnson grew to trust him with the ball in his hands. With DJ Moore gone and Rome Odunze working back from a foot injury, the door is wide open for Burden to grab more targets — targets designed especially for him as a terrifying yards-after-catch threat. The sky is the limit here.”

Burden has the chance to blossom into a star this season. He was considered a fringe first-round pick in 2025, and the Bears might have gotten him as a steal in the second round.

In addition to Burden and Odunze, the play of rookie Zavion Thomas could be intriguing this fall. He showed off his speed during OTAs and mandatory minicamp this spring, and could open up space for Burden to do more damage with third-year quarterback Caleb Williams.

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

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