Some players are simply grateful to hear their name called on draft weekend. For others, being drafted isn’t enough — they want to be drafted high. When that doesn’t happen, it plants a chip on their shoulder that never goes away. New Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden falls firmly into that second category.
Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, many analysts projected Burden as a first-round pick. Some experts even ranked him as the second-best wide receiver in the entire class. Burden shared those expectations himself. So when the first round concluded without his name being called, it would’ve been understandable for him to take the night off, vent frustrations, or simply be with family. Instead, Burden made a different choice — one that says everything about who he is.
Hitting the Gym Instead of the Party
Shortly after slipping out of the first round, Burden didn’t go to a party or host a get-together. Instead, he went straight to Missouri’s football facility to work out. When asked why he chose to spend his night training instead of celebrating like most players, Burden’s response was simple: he just wanted to work. While others were enjoying the moment, he was already thinking about how to get better — and he even planned to work out again Friday night after the Bears drafted him.
That decision tells you everything you need to know about Burden’s mindset. He isn’t worried about what’s already happened; he’s focused on making every team that passed on him regret it.
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A Mentality the Bears Will Love
If you’re the Bears — or just a fan — you have to love seeing this kind of maturity and drive from a young player. Burden, like fellow Bears draft pick Colston Loveland, is just 21 years old. Yet both are showing a level of maturity and hunger that is rare at that age, especially at wide receiver — a position often associated with big personalities and diva behavior.
Instead of sulking or soaking up sympathy from friends and family, Burden is putting in the work. He’s determined to prove the Bears right for selecting him with the 39th overall pick, and just as determined to make the rest of the league regret letting him slip through their fingers.
And that combination could be dangerous for everyone who doubted him.
Our Life is not fair.
America is not fair.
The NFL is not fair.
The Bears are not fair.
You can’t change the world for the better.
You can only try to do so.
The reason Sanders lasted until round 5 is simple. Pro sports is a business. It exists to make money.And teams fear the power, criticism, and invective papa could unleash at their franchise if his son is not accorded the opportunity and deference papa thinks he deserves.
That affects who starts, team discipline, coaching, even ridiculous things like photo shoots, team promotions, and locker placement.Teams don’t want the “Deion Experience.”
Is that fair? Probably not. But reality isn’t fair.
@Krisanthony: I can understand Milroe and Gabriel over Sanders, Milroe has a totally different skillset for a QB, he’s more like Fields, Lamar, or Kyler Murray. Gabriel had success in a major program, which is worth something. That said, Sanders falling to the 5th is crazy – he’s accurate and sees the field well, which is a recipe for QB success. Montana and Brady used it effectively.
And gertrude, if the website were called Work4444.com, Dr. Sallie might join up.
@Krisanthony this may be our lone point of agreement ever. Something is up with Sanders’ draft status. None of those 3 would even be better backups even if you never intended on starting Sanders ever.
I am making a good salary from home $4580-$5240/week , which is amazing under a year ago I was jobless in a horrible economy. I thank God every day I was blessed with these instructions and now its my duty to pay it forward and share it with Everyone,
Here is I started_______ Work44.Com