The Chicago Bears were one of the most active teams this offseason. Since naming Ben Johnson the head coach, all their attention went to filling out this roster, especially on the offensive side.
The Bears used their first three picks in the 2025 NFL draft on offensive players, including WR Luther Burden, who was the 39th-overall pick. Chicago has a rookie minicamp running from May 9 to May 11, giving fans the first glimpse at these players in new threads.
Prior to hitting the practice field, the rookies were given numbers, and Burden was handed No. 87. After practice, he spoke with team reporters and was asked why he's wearing that number.
He answered, "All the good numbers are gone."
Luther Burden on why he's wearing No. 87: "All the good numbers are gone."
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) May 9, 2025
Bears News: Luther Burden Will Wear No. 87
There are fans in the replies on this tweet who aren't thrilled to see him wear No. 87. While it's just a number, 87 isn't a fond number for WRs around the league.
In his collegiate career, Burden rocked No. 3 at Missouri. He won't be able to wear that in Chicago, since that number is retired by the organization in honor of Hall-of-Famer Bronko Nagurski.
Whether or not Burden wears No. 87 remains to be seen, but it doesn't matter what he wears; it's about what he does on the field.
In 38 games at Missouri, Burden had 192 catches for 2,263 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns. He is dangerous with the ball in his hands in open space and can stop on a dime to make defenders miss.
He will line up primarily in the slot with Rome Odunze and D.J. Moore lining up on the outside. Burden brings a different element to Chicago's offense, and Johnson will have fun drawing up plays to get him the ball.
The number he wears isn't relevant, it's all about his play on the field. It's only May, so there's a chance that he won't even have No. 87 when the season kicks off in September.