The Chicago Bears are planning on making a move in the NFC North next season and they’ll rely on a cast of young players to make it happen. Second-year quarterback Caleb Williams will need to take another jump after a solid rookie season and Chicago has high hopes for second-year receiver Rome Odunze after he was selected with the ninth overall pick in last year’s draft.
That young core expanded when the Bears selected tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III with their first two picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. But their progress has been stunted as both players are banged up. It led Ben Johnson to put some pressure on his young playmakers and could be the push to get them on the field as the Bears begin mandatory minicamp.
Ben Johnson Says Luther Burden III is ‘Missing Some Key Time’ Due to Injury
Johnson spoke to reporters on Tuesday and addressed Burden’s absence after the first practice of minicamp. While Johnson said he was speaking about all players that miss time during the offseason program, he admitted that Burden is “missing some key time” after suffering a soft tissue injury.
“He misses a lot. I mean, anytime you’re not out there, if you’re in the training room, when the rest of the guys are practicing, you’re losing valuable time,” Johnson said.
“Valuable time with your coaches, valuable reps with your teammates, the ability to build the trust that we’re talking about. It’s not just the coaching staff having trust in you doing the right thing over and over, but it’s also your teammates, they’ve got to be out there. They’ve got to see you do it. They’ve got to know that the guy [on the left or right of them], that they’re going to do the right things, and that they’re going to make the plays when called upon.”
Ben Johnson on Luther Burden III missing valuable time: pic.twitter.com/scn9oZJdwf
— Bears on CHSN (@CHSN_Bears) June 10, 2025
Johnson also said it was a shame that Burden got hurt, but it also shows how high their expectations are heading into his rookie season. The Missouri product put himself on the map by catching 86 passes for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns in 2023 but his production tailed off to 61 catches for 676 yards and six touchdowns last season, which allowed him to fall to the second round of the draft.
Burden also has the ability to contribute in the running game with 34 career carries for 234 yards and four touchdowns but he can’t make the impact Johnson is looking for if he’s not on the field.
Johnson noted that Burden will be available to practice by training camp and he should have roughly six weeks to prepare for the first practice. But Johnson wants Burden practicing as soon as possible so he can unleash his vision on the rest of the NFC North.