Will Luther Burden sign contract in time for Chicago Bears training camp?

First, the good news. The Chicago Bears signed two of their three second-round picks over the last few days. Left tackle Ozzy Trapilo and defensive lineman Shemar Turner are locked and loaded for 2025 training camp, and both will be in fierce competitions for first-team reps.

Now, the bad news. The highest-selected second-round pick, and arguably the most exciting, is still unsigned: wide receiver Luther Burden III. And Bears rookies report to training camp on July 19.

Perhaps, he’ll put pen to paper soon. But with the top of the second-round selections landing fully-guaranteed contracts, GM Ryan Poles may have to decide between giving Burden a team-risky deal like that, or dig in and stay true to the longstanding strategy against guaranteed deals in the NFL.

Luther Burden was selected 39th overall. Picks No. 33 through 35 have all received fully guaranteed contracts. Running back Quinshon Judkins, the 36th overall pick, shouldn’t be included in this — he’s dealing with some legal issues. That leaves two picks before Burden, who have to sign (Dolphins guard Jonah Savaiinaea and Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson) their deals before Burden’s camp likely budges.

Remember: no NFL agent wants to be the first guy to give away guaranteed money.

The first second-round pick to agree to less than a 100% guaranteed deal was 49ers defensive lineman Alfred Collins. He was selected four spots after Burden at No. 43 overall.

The Chicago Bears can’t afford Burden to miss any more time than he already has. The former Missouri star is expected to be the No. 3 receiver in Ben Johnson’s offense, but it’s a system that requires extreme attention to detail. And that can only be accomplished with reps on the field.

Burden missed almost all of the team’s offseason workout program with what the Bears called a soft-tissue injury. He’s already behind. Any delays in signing his rookie contract will widen the gap he must close in order to see meaningful reps early in the 2025 season

UPDATE:

In Poles we trust. The Bears signed Luther Burden III on Friday afternoon.