According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Chicago Bears have signed the final member of their 2025 draft class, inking wide receiver Luther Burden III to a fully guaranteed, four-year contract worth $10.965 million. Per Schefter, this is the first time the 39th overall selection has ever received a fully guaranteed deal.
For those scoring at home, last year the Bears wrapped up their 2024 draft class on July 17, so this was just a day of that pace.
On Thursday, Chicago’s other second-rounders signed,
so Burden should join offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo (56th overall) and defensive tackle Shemar Turner (62nd overall) at Hallas Hall on Saturday when rookies report for training camp.
Burden was hampered by a soft tissue injury at rookie minicamp, which sidelined him for the duration of their offseason workout program. The Bears haven’t made an announcement about his availability for training camp, but considering the team let him throw out the first pitch at a June 17 White Sox game, I would imagine he’ll be ready to go.
He was a surprise selection, but his value and upside made him too good to pass on for Ben Johnson’s new offense.
At a May 9th press conference, Burden was asked if he still had a chip on his schoulder after falling out of the first round, or if he was leaving that behind him following draft weekend.
“No, that’s staying with me forever,” Burden said. “Everyone who passed up on me gotta pay.”
He’s sure to be a bit behind after losing so much valuable practice time at minicamp and OTAs, but he’s too talented to be down the depth chart for long.
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