The Chicago Bears made a bold move by selecting Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III as the 39th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, showcasing their commitment to enhancing their offense under new head coach Ben Johnson. After also drafting tight end Colston Loveland, Burden is expected to fill a crucial role as a slot receiver for quarterback Caleb Williams. Last season at Missouri, Burden led the team with 61 receptions for 676 yards and six touchdowns, indicating his potential impact in the Bears' offense.

Experts from various media outlets have praised Burden's selection. USA Today awarded the Bears an 'A' grade, citing the significant improvements made to the offensive line and the addition of skill position players. CBS Sports gave a top mark of 'A+', praising Burden's explosive playmaking ability as a run-after-catch threat. Although some analysts raised concerns about Burden's past injuries and production drops, many agree that he has the potential to be a key contributor alongside DJ Moore and Rome Odunze.