What happened: Bears head coach Ben Johnson said he is "buying Luther Burden stock," a strong vote of confidence in the second-year wide receiver, per a report from Adam Schefter. Johnson praised Burden as highly coachable during offseason work.

Why it matters: The endorsement signals that Burden could carry a larger role in Chicago's offense heading into the 2026 season, especially as the receiver room reshapes around him. Johnson's public backing of Burden reinforces the staff's plan to build around younger talent.

What to watch: Watch how Burden is deployed through training camp and whether the praise translates into first-team reps once the Bears open the 2026 season.