The Chicago Bears' Week 14 matchup with the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field has obvious NFC North implications. In the Bears' WR room, Luther Burden III has a massive opportunity to carve out a role in Declan Doyle's offense.
He won't just be getting opportunities. He'll get the chance to face a defense that's fully preparing for him to be DJ Moore's decoy on many plays, and the primary threat on more than a few. And that'll help the team in the future.
WR1 Rome Odunze, along with cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II, and guard Joe Thuney, are scratches for this Sunday's clash in America's Dairyland. Odunze suffered a foot injury that made him a non-participant during Wednesday and Thursday's practices.
Odunze has been Chicago's top receiving weapon in 2025, amassing 661 yards on 44 catches with six touchdowns. He's developed right on schedule after being selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. Injuries so close to the playoffs aren't great, but it's astounding that the Bears could be a first-round bye and potential division winner this season. Playoffs being the conversation means Ryan Poles stuck the landing last April. And this one.
Burden was the team's second-round pick from the Missouri Tigers, and his 12.6 yards per catch are No. 4 on the team and No. 3 in the receiving room, behind Odunze and Moore. If the team decides to move on from Moore in the future, Burden is the next WR2.
If, of course, he can pass tests like the Packers on Sunday. Burden has 35.8 offensive snaps in the last four games, which is not a sustainable number over the long haul. There needs to be a concerted effort to form a rapport with Caleb Williams.
Bears' Ben Johnson Tipped His Hand on Luther Burden III Usage
"It's a trust level between the coaches and the player," said Bears head coach Ben Johnson back in mid-November. "It's a trust level between the quarterback and a receiver. It continues to ascend. He has been very productive when he's about to get the ball in his hands, and there's a strong argument that we should get it to him more."
Johnson understands that there are financial implications attached to getting Burden caught up to speed sooner rather than later. He understands Burden's development will need reps at some point.
Sunday seems like the day we'll get an answer one way or another on what Burden represents on Chicago's roster.