Burden, Chicago’s 39th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, made an impact as a rookie but took time to get going — both because he’s still getting used to it and started third in the pecking order behind Rome Odunze and DJ Moore.
He finished with 47 receptions, 652 yards and two touchdowns. The respectable production came despite being one catch in four of his first seven NFL games. Through his first 10 contests, he caught four receptions just once; in his last five regular-season outings, he hit or improved four times.
There are many reasons to share Johnson’s belief that Burden will take the next step in 2026. Moore, who appeared to be a constant threat in the Bears offense, dropped to 50 receptions after hauling in 90-plus the previous two seasons before being traded to the Buffalo Bills. His departure brings Burden in as the other main guy alongside Odunze.
His measurements are also promising. Burden generated 2.7 yards per route run in 2025, the second-most by a rookie since 2016 and third in the league behind Los Angeles Rams’ Puka Nacua (3.9) and Seattle Seahawks’ Jaxon Smith-Njigba (3.7), according to Next Gen Stats. His 7.4 yards per catch was fourth among wide receivers with an eventual 25 catches. Burden also showed quick chemistry with quarterback Caleb Williams that should only grow, as he paced his team with a 78.3% catch percentage.
Burden will have to maintain his efficiency as he gets an increased workload moving forward, but he was able to make the most of his early opportunities as the most inexperienced pass catcher he will be. With a year to build on, the game will slow down, something Johnson has already noticed in the offseason.
“He looks like he’s playing at a different pace right now,” Johnson said. “You knew he had it in him — he’s a 4.4 guy — and yet that speed doesn’t always translate to actual speed, football speed, the play. I think we’re starting to see that now. He’s not thinking as much. He knows what we’re trying to do. So you see with some of these guys like I pointed out here for a while before they’ve been slow here in the past — lets their talent come out.”
Plus, with more solid footing in the game, Burden is starting to expand his route tree, according to Johnson, providing more ways to exploit defenses and deal damage.
It’s easy to throw great things at budding stars in May, but for now, the Burden hype train seems right on track.