Luther Burden III, Bears Agree to $11M Fully-Guaranteed Rookie Contract Ahead of Camp

Wide receiver Luther Burden III became the latest second-round draft pick to land a fully guaranteed contract on Friday.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Burden's agency said the wideout and the Chicago Bears agreed to a four-year, $10.965 million rookie contract. That makes him the first No. 39 overall pick to ever secure a fully guaranteed deal.

Multiple 2025 second-round picks have now signed fully guaranteed contracts after Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins became the first second-rounder in NFL history to do so back in May.

It took well into the offseason for Burden to finalize his deal, which was a pattern around the league with second-round draft picks after the Texans' agreement with Higgins.

Jeff Eisenberg of Yahoo Sports noted that move "triggered a league-wide standoff" with agents pushing for fully guaranteed deals around the league and teams showing reluctance to set such a precedent.

Ultimately, the two sides were able to get something done as the Bears continued this offseason's offensive overhaul after they hired former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their new head coach.

First, the front office added Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson along the offensive line, and then it drafted tight end Colston Loveland in the first round and Burden in the second.

With DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet and D'Andre Swift set to return, there is no shortage of talent around quarterback Caleb Williams entering his second season.

While the presence of so many weapons could cut into the overall opportunities for someone like Burden in his rookie season, he figures to be an important part of the offense. After all, Keenan Allen had 70 catches for Chicago last season, and those targets need to be spread around since the veteran is no longer on the team.

Burden is the most logical one to fill Allen's vacated role in the offense, and he should be put in an ideal scenario to thrive during his rookie season.

Opposing defenses will focus much of their attention on slowing Moore and Odunze, which should open up the second-round pick for plenty of opportunities against single coverage and weaker cornerbacks.

If he is able to demonstrate the same form as he did in 2023 when he finished with 86 catches for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns for the Tigers at the collegiate level, he should put up solid numbers as soon as his first season in the NFL.

B/R's NFL Scouting Department highlighted Burden's "burst and acceleration" out of the slot in its predraft scouting report, which will be a problem for defenses that are too preoccupied with the other playmakers on the outside.

And that should help Burden more than live up to the expectations that come with this rookie deal.