Luther Burden III was a second-round pick of the Chicago Bears in 2025, taken 39th overall out of Missouri. As a rookie, he caught 47 passes for 652 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games. In 2026, he has become the Bears’ most consistent target and the team’s clearest WR1 candidate. He has 491 yards and two touchdowns through seven games, and he added a 56-yard, one-touchdown game in Week 8. Looking for Luther Burden III stats and age? This guide also covers his height, career, family, injury, and money. It shows the numbers and the story behind them.
Luther Burden III Profile
| Attribute | Detail |
| Full Name | Luther Burden III |
| Date of Birth | 12 December 2003 |
| Age | 22 years (November 2026) |
| Birthplace | St. Louis, Missouri |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in |
| Weight | 210 lb (listed) |
| Position | Wide receiver (also kick returner) |
| High School | East St. Louis (Illinois) |
| College | Missouri |
| NFL Draft | 2025, Round 2, Pick 39 (Chicago Bears) |
| Current Team | Chicago Bears |
| Jersey Number | 10 |
| NFL Experience | Second season (2026) |
Early Life & Background
Burden was born on 12 December 2003 in St. Louis and went to East St. Louis High School in Illinois. He was a consensus five-star recruit and was named MaxPreps Player of the Year. As a senior, he recorded 71 receptions for 1,174 yards and 20 touchdowns. He received 41 scholarship offers and narrowed his choice to Alabama, Georgia, and Missouri. He committed to Missouri in October 2021 and became only the fourth consensus five-star recruit the school had signed in 20 years.
Luther Burden III Family Background
| Relation | Detail |
| Father | Luther Burden II (listed in Missouri roster bio) |
| Mother | Gaye Union (listed in Missouri roster bio) |
| Grandfather | Luther “Ticky” Burden, former NBA player |
| Wife / Partner | Not publicly confirmed |
| Children | Not publicly confirmed |
Burden’s grandfather, Luther “Ticky” Burden, was a former NBA player, according to Wikipedia. Burden himself keeps his personal life private, and little else is public. Any family detail you find online should be treated with care.
How His Career Actually Unfolded
| Phase | Years | Notes |
| Missouri Freshman | 2022 | Joins Missouri as a consensus five-star |
| Missouri Breakout | 2023 | 1,212 receiving yards |
| Missouri Junior | 2024 | 61 receptions, 676 yards, six touchdowns; punt-return touchdown |
| NFL Draft | 2025 | Bears take him 39th overall in Round 2 |
| Rookie Season | 2025 | 47 catches, 652 yards, two touchdowns in 15 games |
| Groin Injury | August 2026 | Misses much of training camp |
| Emergence | September to October 2026 | Leads Bears in targets and yards; 130 yards vs New England |
| Week 8 | 2 November 2026 | 7 catches, 56 yards, one touchdown vs Seattle |
Burden’s college career was strong. In 2023 he produced 1,212 receiving yards. His junior season in 2024 produced 61 catches, 676 yards and six touchdowns, along with a punt-return touchdown. He was drafted in the second round after a senior season that was less productive, but he went to Chicago with explosive speed. At his pre-draft workout, he ran a 4.41 second 40-yard dash.
Luther Burden III Stats: NFL Career
| Stat | 2025 Season | Career Through 2025 |
| Games | 15 | 15 regular season (five starts) |
| Receptions | 47 | 47 |
| Receiving Yards | 652 | 652 |
| Touchdowns | 2 | 2 |
| Playoffs | 6 catches, 66 yards (two games) | Included |
Burden went into 2026 with 47 catches for 652 yards and two touchdowns. His average of about 13.9 yards per catch was a strong rookie mark.
Luther Burden III Stats at a Glance: 2026 Season
| 2026 Stat (through Week 7) | Number |
| Games | 7 |
| Receptions | 35 |
| Receiving Yards | 491 |
| Touchdowns | 2 |
| Targets | 47 |
| Yards per Catch | 14.0 |
| Yards per Game | 70.1 |
With his Week 8 game added, reported totals reach about 42 catches, 547 yards and three touchdowns. Yahoo Sports lists him at 70.1 yards per game through seven games. Stat sites disagree on game logs, so treat the Week 8 totals as approximate.
Luther Burden III Recent Form: 2026 Game Log
| Week | Opponent | Receptions | Yards | Touchdowns |
| 1 | at Panthers | 5 | 63 | 0 |
| 2 | vs Vikings | 3 | 32 | 0 |
| 3 | vs Eagles | 7 | 61 | 1 |
| 4 | vs Jets | 4 | 63 | 0 |
| 5 | at Packers | 4 | 47 | 0 |
| 6 | at Falcons | 8 | 95 | 0 |
| 7 | vs Patriots | 4 | 130 | 1 |
| 8 | at Seahawks | 7 | 56 | 1 |
His best game came against New England on Thursday night, when he caught four passes for 130 yards and a touchdown. A 58-yard catch in that game set up a short touchdown run by D’Andre Swift. Since Week 6, his production has increased sharply. Targets and yards show a clear rise in his role.
Luther Burden III Records & Milestones
| Milestone | Detail |
| Consensus five-star recruit | Missouri signing, 2021 |
| MaxPreps Player of the Year | East St. Louis, 2021 |
| Senior high school season | 71 receptions, 1,174 yards, 20 touchdowns |
| Missouri 2024 season | 61 receptions, 676 yards, six touchdowns |
| Career-best 2026 game | 130 receiving yards vs New England |
| 2026 Week 8 | 7 catches, 56 yards, one touchdown at Seattle |
| Draft slot | 39th overall, second round |
Luther Burden III Injury: The Timeline
| Date | Event |
| Early August 2026 | Groin injury |
| August 2026 | Misses large portions of training camp and the preseason |
| September 2026 | Returns to the lineup for Week 1 |
| Week 8, 2026 | Plays a full game against Seattle |
Burden’s injury was a groin problem in early August. It cost him much of the preseason and kept him from establishing a rhythm early. Once healthy, he produced steadily, and his role grew through the season.
Luther Burden III Contract
Burden was drafted in the second round in 2025, so he is on a standard rookie deal. Specific contract figures have not been verified in the sources reviewed for this article, so no salary or signing bonus is given here. His contract status matters because the Bears may look at extending him as his production grows.
Luther Burden III Net Worth
There is no verified net worth figure for Luther Burden III, and no reliable public estimate exists. Rookie NFL earnings are typically modest compared with veteran contracts, but the exact amount depends on his deal and any bonuses. Any total you see online should be treated as an estimate.
Luther Burden III Playing Style: What Makes Him Different
Burden is a fast, explosive receiver with good hands. He has moved into the Bears’ top role this season. An ESPN analysis reported a per-route target rate of 26.8 percent, second on the team behind tight end Colston Loveland. He also returns kicks. His main challenge is consistency, as his production has swung widely from game to game, and his health early in the season was a concern.
Luther Burden III Legacy So Far
His career is at an early stage. As a Missouri recruit, he was only the fourth consensus five-star the school had signed in 20 years. As a Bears rookie, he showed flashes. A second-year player, he has started to become Chicago’s most reliable target. At 22, the next few seasons will show whether he can become a true No. 1 receiver.
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Frequently Asked Questions
He was born on 12 December 2003 and is 22 as of November 2026.
He plays wide receiver for the Chicago Bears.
He wears number 10 for the Bears.
He is listed at 6 ft 0 in and 210 lb.
He played at Missouri after a standout career at East St. Louis High School.
The Bears took him 39th overall in the second round of the 2025 draft.
Through seven games he had 35 catches, 491 yards and two touchdowns.
He had a groin injury in August 2026 that caused him to miss part of training camp.
