Back in the offseason, the Chicago Bears wanted to surround franchise quarterback Caleb Williams with as many weapons as possible to succeed in Year 2. This mindset led to the Bears adding the likes of tight end Colston Loveland and wideout Luther Burden III through the 2025 NFL draft, as well as signing veterans like Olamide Zaccheaus in free agency.
Signing a proven wide receiver like Zaccheaus made sense at the time. The former Virginia Cavalier had amassed 149 catches for 1,998 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in the six previous seasons, giving Bears fans hope that he could make an immediate impact in the Windy City. Instead, he's caused more headaches than help, putting him on thin ice to begin Week 12.,
Olamide Zaccheaus' Bears Future Is Grim After Week 11 Goose Egg
Amid a slow start to the year, Zaccheaus finally got on Bears fans' good sides with a 6-58-1 stat line against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 9. He promptly imploded in the following outing, catching only one ball on four targets for five yards against the New York Giants, which included a season-high two dropped passes.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson clearly saw enough and opted to change things up against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. In the outing, Zaccheaus was held to a season-low 10 offensive snaps (his previous low was 30), and he wasn't even targeted once in the passing game. The quiet showing opened the door for Burden to emerge as the Bears' WR3, as he finished with 33 snaps, trailing only DJ Moore (61) and Rome Odunze (57) as far as Chicago's wideouts go.
Burden finished the game with five targets, which were tied with TE Cole Kmet for second-most on the team behind only Odunze (6). He had three receptions for 27 yards. Zaccheaus, on the other hand, now has nine or fewer yards in three of his last five games.
If Burden keeps proving to be a special talent, he should be a big part of this team's future alongside Williams, Odunze, and Loveland. He's been productive despite the lack of playing time, and he's clearly a better player than Zaccheaus, even at this point in his career. If that means permanently pushing the veteran WR down the depth chart to let the first-year stud shine, so be it.
The Bears continue to roll, and their offense looks sharper by the week. If Zaccheaus wants to be a part of any future success, he must limit drops and capitalize on any opportunities he sees. Otherwise, the bench will become his home, and his season in the Windy City will be nothing more than a one-off.