The Chicago Bears have won three straight games and own a 3-2 record. The offense has improved during this stretch, having scored at least 25 points in each victory. Ben Johnson and company seek to extend their winning streak this weekend against the New Orleans Saints, and we know now that the Bears will have DJ Moore out there following his injury scare.
There's still meat on the bone with this offense, though. For it to truly kick into another gear, they need to play rookie wideout Luther Burden more and make veteran receiver Olamide Zaccheaus take a step back.
Luther Burden Needs to Play More than Olamide Zaccheaus
Entering Week 7, Zaccheaus is third on the team in total snaps (189), playing in at least 44% of the offensive snaps in every game this season. He's second on the team in targets (28) but still ranks fifth on the team in receiving yards (143) with 16 catches. The 28-year-old has chewed up at least four targets in every game this season, but hasn't finished with more than 42 receiving yards in a game.
As for Burden, he's logged 81 total snaps this season. Despite the limited snaps, he caught 11 passes on 12 targets for 150 receiving yards and a touchdown. The rookie receiver has shown flashes of being a deep threat and, at this point, has earned the chance to do more with additional opportunities.
In his last outing, Burden had four catches for 51 receiving yards in just 15 total snaps. He's now gone over 50 receiving yards in two of Chicago's last three games and seems to be getting more comfortable with each passing week. That's the kind of progression you want with a rookie, especially one who was selected with the 39th overall pick.
The Bears brought him in due to his big-play ability and YAC potential. Instead of continuing to trot out Zaccheaus, Ben Johnson, and the offensive staff need to play more Burden. It's not a matter of Zaccheaus being more productive with increased playing time, so it's time to swing over those reps to Burden.
There being a 108 snap difference is too large a gap that needs to start swinging in Burden's favor. To start the season off, Chicago didn't want to throw a lot on the 21-year-old's plate. Especially since he missed time this offseason with a hamstring injury. Dealing with that injury pushed Burden into a tough spot as it forced the rookie to learn the offense and build chemistry with his teammates while also nursing an injury.
While that made sense to start the season, it's clear Burden is a more talented receiver and should get an uptick in snaps going forward.