The Chicago Bears are the winners of the NFC North and look poised to secure the second seed in the 2025 playoffs.
A huge reason why the Bears have had such success this season has been thanks to Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson, but one of the more underrated heroes of 2025 has been a rookie wide receiver: Luther Burden III.
JJ Zachariason shared one statistic that shows just how great Burden has been. While it's just one stat, and doesn't tell the full story, Burden is currently the best rookie WR since 2011 in this telling statistic.
Bears' Luther Burden III is NFL's best rookie WR since 2011 in one key stat
"Rookie wide receivers since 2011 with 50+ targets and a yards per route run rate over 2.50, per PFF routes run data: 1. Luther Burden: 2.82." Zacharaison shared on Twitter/x.
The rest of the rookie wide receivers since 2011 are not nearly as high as Burden's mark. Odell Beckham had a 2.75, AJ Brown had a 2.67, Justin Jefferson had a 2.66, Puka Nacua had a 2.59, and Ja'Marr Chase had a 2.51.
Burden hasn't been as impactful overall as those rookie wide receivers, as they were much larger parts of their respective offenses in their rookie seasons.
But the Bears' second-round rookie wide receiver has been nothing short of incredible for the Bears this season.
More: Luther Burden injury update: Latest news on Bears WR after Week 17 game
He has 44 receptions for 617 yards and two touchdowns this season. While Chicago lost in Week 17, Burden had his best game as a pro, hauling in eight of nine targets for 138 yards and a touchdown.
Burden's 2025 rookie year has been great, and it made the disappointment of Rome Odunze's 2025 campaign sting significantly less.
Chicago nailed it with Ben Johnson, Coleston Loveland, and especially Burden from this past offseason. Burden and the Bears are 11-5, and look to be one of the best teams in the NFL this season.
This statistic is proof that Burden's production this season hasn't been a fluke, and is a great sign for his chances of becoming one of the NFL's best receivers in the future.
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