Bear Digest

Bears rookie getting mentorship from the most unthinkable source

This Chicago Bears rookie is receiving some pointers from the most unthinkable source you can imagine.
Matthew Schmidt|
May 9, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III speaks during the Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
May 9, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III speaks during the Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

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Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears landed what many feel was a steal in the second round of the NFL Draft, bagging Missouri Tigers wide receiver Luther Burden III.

Burden was viewed by most as a first-round talent early on in 2024, but a rather disappointing final collegiate campaign resulted in his stock dropping.

Still, there is no doubting Burden's potential, and with training camp just around the corner, the hype surrounding the 21-year-old is palpable.

Burden finally agreed to a contract with the Bears this week, which put an end to the concerns that the youngster would not be present at camp. And prior to that, he was seen working out with probably the most unthinkable player you can imagine: Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson.

Not that there's anything wrong with getting pointers from arguably the best wide out in football, but spending that much time with a hated NFC North rival is always eye-opening.

Regardless, Burden couldn't ask for a better mentor, and what he learns from Jefferson could pay dividends when the Bears face the Vikings. So hey, it's Jefferson taking the risk, right?

Burden caught 61 passes for 676 yards and six touchdowns last season, but in 2023, he hauled in 86 receptions for 1,212 yards and nine scores, putting himself on the map as a top prospect.

Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson.
Jan 30, 2025; Orlando, FL, USA; NFC wide receiver Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings (18) catches the ball during the Satisfying Catch event at the Pro Bowl Skills Challenge at Nicholson Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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Matthew Schmidt
MATTHEW SCHMIDT

Matthew Schmidt is a sportswriter who covers NFL, MLB, NBA and college football and basketball. He has been writing professionally since 2011 and has also worked for Bleacher Report, FanRag Sports, ClutchPoints, NFLAnalysis.net and NBAAnalysis.net. He was born and raised in New Jersey and has a rather eclectic group of favorite teams: the Boston Celtics, New York Giants and Miami Marlins.

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