Bears Coach Johnson Rates His Receiver As Mentally Tough as NFL’s Top Wideouts

Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has compared second-year wideout Luther Burden III to the Detroit Lions' star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, highlighting similarities in their approach on the field.

Burden's competitive spirit and desire to be great have earned him comparisons with St. Brown, who was praised by Johnson for his work ethic after helping develop one of the best offenses in football as the Lions' offensive coordinator.

Amon-Ra St. Brown was instrumental in the Lions offense, catching at least 100 passes and 1,100 yards each year under Johnson's guidance.

Burden’s Performance Last Season

Luther Burden had a solid rookie season for the Bears despite limited opportunities. He caught 47 passes for 652 yards in only half of his team’s offensive snaps, according to Tru Media data from his 15 games.

Burden finished third in the NFL in yards per route run among wide receivers with at least 100 routes, suggesting significant potential for growth.

Similarities and Differences

Burdens's playing style shares some similarities with St. Brown but also has notable differences. Both were primarily used as manufactured-touch players, yet their work in different parts of the field sets them apart.
Amon-Ra St. Brown ran 69 out of his 172 targeted passes (40%) from within five yards of the line of scrimmage, while Burden did so 32 times out of 60 targets (53%).

Huynh explains that expanding beyond these all-or-nothing type of touches will be key for Burden to reach his full potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Burden perform compared to St. Brown's rookie season?

Burden had 47 catches for 652 yards in limited opportunities last season, which demonstrates his ability despite not being a full-time starter.

What are the key performance metrics that make Burden akin to St. Brown?

Burden finished third in NFL yards per route run among wide receivers with at least 100 routes and was used primarily as a manufactured-touch player, similar to his predecessor Amon-Ra St. Brown.