Bears Coach Confirms Luther Burden III Will Get Opportunity to Beat Out Former Pro Bowler for Spot
Bears fans should be excited about the addition of Luther Burden III. As much as we might love Colston Loveland, Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, Grady Jarrett and other new Bears, the 2025 offseason might ultimately be remembered as the year the Bears got Burden III.
He's that explosive and exciting, and I can imagine his jersey sales being right under Caleb Williams if the Bears reach their potential. A recent declaration from the Bears' coaching staff confirms LB3 will have an opportunity to make an impact similar to Devin Hester.
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Chicago's special teams coordinator Richard Hightower confirmed what many fans had hoped: Luther Burden III will be in the mix for the team's No. 1 punt returner spot.
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Burden will compete with Pro Bowl return man Devin Duvernay.
Hightower says LB3 is 'a different dude with the ball in his hand.'
The Bears want to use him in multiple phases of the game.
Here's what Hightower told Bears Wire's Alyssa Barbieri:
'He's going to have a chance just like everyone else, but you see it on offense and saw it in college, how electric he is when the ball is in his hands. Like, he's a different dude with the ball in his hand. So all we're looking for is playmakers that will help us change field position and win games.
In case you haven't seen LB3 in action, take a look at this highlight reel:
Burden's usage will be one of the most closely watched developments in Chicago's preseason. He's the kind of player you don't want to limit. While Devin Duvernay brings experience and past accolades, Burden brings that edge-of-your-seat energy the Bears have desperately missed in the return game.
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The battle between the veteran and the rookie could shape how the team opens games, flips field position, and steals momentum.
In case you're not aware, Williams could have this suite of weapons at his disposal if the team uses a two tight-end set: WR, DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, LB3/Swift, TE, Colt Kmet and Colston Loveland. The matchup problems that the Bears can present teams with is scary. I can imagine a situation where LB3 is in the backfield taking pitches.
Don't be surprised if LB3 is one of the breakout rookies on offense in the NFL in 2025.
Burden may have been drafted for his offensive upside, but his impact could start with field position—and that's how legends like Devin Hester got started in Chicago. With the coaching staff clearly on board, and the competition wide open, all signs point to LB3 becoming a key contributor right away.
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