2 reasons why Luther Burden III is Bears' top breakout candidate for 2026

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The Chicago Bears are one of the more popular picks to have a great 2026 season after their incredible run in 2025. Another offseason together for Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson could lead to a massive 2026 season.

But it's not just the franchise quarterback who could have a big 2026 season. ESPN's Ben Solak called wide receiver Luther Burden III the Bears' top breakout candidate.

He revealed two reasons why Burden can breakout in 2026, and those reasons revolve around the wide receiver room and Johnson's trust in the second-year WR.

2 reasons why Luther Burden III could breakout in 2026

1. Burden is earning Ben Johnson's trust

"Burden was largely a screen-and-shot player to start the 2025 season, but he started to get more opportunities on crossers and underneath routes as coach Ben Johnson grew to trust him with the ball in his hands," Solak writes.

As the year went on, Johnson began to trust Burden more, giving him more chances to thrive in the Bears' offense.

Over the final eight games of the season, Burden recorded 34 receptions for 481 yards and one touchdown. In the first seven games of the year, he had 13 receptions for 171 yards and one touchdown.

As Johnson's trust in him grew, Burden started to perform better. Now, heading into year two, with Burden having even more trust, it would hardly be a surprise if he broke out into a true star wide receiver.

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2. Bears WR room is not like it was in 2025

"With DJ Moore gone and Rome Odunze working back from a foot injury, the door is wide open for Burden to grab more targets -- targets designed especially for him as a terrifying yards-after-catch threat," Solak writes.

This is one of the simpler explanations for why a breakout season could be in store for Burden. The Bears' WR room has changed, with DJ Moore traded to the Buffalo Bills, and Rome Odunze coming off a foot injury in 2025.

Burden's role will naturally increase with Moore's departure, and with Odunze being banged up, Burden has a chance to emerge as the Bears' WR1 in 2026.

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Luther Burden III could be in store for a breakout 2026 season

Between the trust he's gaining with Johnson, the head coach and playcaller, along with the changing WR room with Moore out and Odunze hurt, Burden could be in line for a huge 2026 season.

If he recorded over 1,000 yards in 2026, it would not be a surprise whatsoever. Burden flashed such potential in 2025, and now he could be the focal point of the passing offense.

As Solak writes, "The sky is the limit here." Burden is a very exciting player to watch out for in 2026, as he could have one of the biggest breakout seasons of any player around the NFL.