Bears have what they should tread water whereas Luther Burden is out

The Chicago Bears are going to be with out extensive receiver Luther Burden III for the whole preseason, which leaves them down a prime wideout. Head coach Ben Johnson stated he is hopeful Burden can be again in time for Week 1 towards the Carolina Panthers, however there is no definitive return.

Burden suffered a groin harm, which will be robust for a receiver, or any offensive playmaker for that matter, particularly one along with his elusive skillset. He is an enormous loss for Chicago’s offense if he misses important time. 

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With that stated, the Bears offense will not be with out playmakers if Burden is out of the lineup. There are many weapons round to assist them tread water whereas he’s away. That begins with Rome Odunze, who’s in line to be the group’s prime receiver.

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Chicago chosen Odunze with the ninth general decide within the 2024 NFL Draft for that purpose. He is had an up-and-down begin to his profession, however now’s his time to shine. Odunze performed extraordinarily nicely to start out the 2025 season, his second within the NFL, however a lingering foot harm sidelined him and impacted his play for the period. If he can keep wholesome for a complete season, the instruments are there for him to be a 1,000-yard receiver with double-digit touchdowns. 

Different receivers like Kalif Raymond, Zavion Thomas, and Jahdae Walker are additionally there to assist help. Any one in all them may escape alongside Odunze whereas Burden is out, making them much more harmful when he returns. 

Johnson, no matter what heights the passing assault will get to, will rely closely on the run recreation as nicely. He cherished operating the ball because the play-caller in Detroit, and he cherished it in his first 12 months in Chicago. Count on huge issues from D’Andre Swift once more with nice help from Kyle Monangai. 

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The true X-factor right here is the tight finish room. Colston Loveland seems like he could also be a top-five participant on the place, regardless that the coaching wheels did not come off till the second half of the 2025 season, and he then was a star. Cole Kmet can be an excellent participant who performs the place very otherwise. Kmet will settle for any project given to him, whereas Loveland likes to line up and run routes like a real receiver on each play. 

Pretty much as good of a duo as Loveland and Kmet could also be, there’s a third identify within the combine. The Bears chosen Sam Roush within the 2026 NFL Draft as a result of Johnson loves operating 13-personnel. These sort of performs might grow to be commonplace if Burden misses prolonged time within the common season. 

Even when Burden can come again sooner than anticipated, with all the weapons that Johnson has at his disposal, it could be smart to get him again to 100% well being earlier than letting him return. There isn’t any purpose to hurry Burden again forward of schedule at this cut-off date. They will get by with out him if they should. It is not best, however the items are there. 

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This text initially appeared on Bears Wire: Bears have what they should tread water whereas Luther Burden is out