(Video) Luther Burden III’s Unavailability for OTAs and Minicamp Has Ben Johnson Frustrated

Luther Burden III sustained a soft tissue injury during rookie minicamp which has resulted in him sitting out of veteran minicamps.

(Video) Luther Burden III’s Unavailability for OTAs and Minicamp Has Ben Johnson Frustrated

Ben Johnson had hoped to see Luther Burden III get more reps during minicamp (Image Credits: L-via ESPN, R-via Open Source)

Each NFL team resumes operations after the off-season break in three phases. They hold a mandatory rookie minicamp for the newcomers, then there’s the Organized Team Activities or OTAs, and finally, there are the Minicamps. The OTAs are often voluntary for players to attend; it allows athletes to get a head start and find their groove early on.

However, a good number of athletes prefer to skip OTAs and spend more time with their families, enjoying themselves before they return for the minicamps. Teams are flexible when it comes to OTAs, but they tighten the rules for minicamp, because that is the time when players can build chemistry with their teammates and improve the trust of the coaching staff.

Ben Johnson is in a new position this season. He is coaching the Chicago Bears and has high expectations for the team. Coming off a stint with a team where accountability was the law, Johnson has already begun to hold his players accountable for their blunders. The HC did not approve of his rookie wide receiver, Luther Burden III‘s, absence from mandatory minicamp.

The second-round pick of the Bears is touted to be one of the most talented wide receivers in this draft class; however, Luther Burden III sustained a soft tissue injury in the rookie minicamp in May. This has led him to be sidelined until the start of training camp.

Ben Johnson was frustrated that his best rookie receiver was missing valuable time on the field.

He misses a lot. I mean, anytime you’re not out there, if you’re in the training room when the rest of the guys are practicing, you’re losing valuable time. Valuable time with your coaches, valuable reps with your teammates, the ability to build the trust that we’re talking about. It’s not just about the coaching staff having trust in you…it’s also your teammates, they gotta see you do it…I think it’s for everybody, and it’s a shame that he got dinged up and missed all that time, because for a young player it’s really where you get the most reps…

Ben Johnson expressed in a frustrated tone that Burden III’s injury set him back by almost one month.

Luther Burden III can boost the Bears’ offense with his playmaking abilities

His frustration is justified. After all, the rookie was exciting to watch at Missouri. He had one 1,000-yard receiving season in 2023 and finished last year with 676 receiving yards. Do not be fooled by the numbers alone, because the potential is strong with this one. His athleticism and playmaking abilities separate him from the rest.

Luther Burden III
Luther Burden III (Image via Sports Illustrated)

The rookie’s injury is a minor setback for the Bears. It seems that Ben Johnson was hoping that Luther Burden III would be well-read and prepared to be a starter by Week 1 of the season, but now he will need to give the receiver a couple of weeks before he gives him the right opportunity.

The Bears continue to work towards improving their performance this season. Quarterback Caleb Williams has shown his commitment to the team by actively participating in the team’s voluntary OTAs. The quarterback is hoping to improve by leaps and bounds in his sophomore year. The highlight will be on the connection between Williams and Johnson. The quarterback has talent, everybody knows that, but he needed the right person to guide him, and there is nobody better to do this job than Ben Johnson.

What Johnson did with the Detroit Lions last season was impressive. Despite injuries, he managed to set up the most entertaining offense in the NFL and ran plays so unexpected that the defenses were left clueless at times. It will be interesting to see how Johnson transforms the Bears’ offense.

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