Bears Miss Out on TreVeyon Henderson, Land Luther Burden III: Smart Move or Draft Fumble?
The Chicago Bears’ 2025 offseason has been anything but subtle. After a brutal rookie campaign for No. 1 pick Caleb Williams—complete with 68 sacks, a revolving door of coaches, and film sessions with no guidance—the franchise hit the draft like a quarterback running from a blitz. Williams, despite showcasing undeniable talent, was left to fend for himself behind a porous offensive line. And the front office knew something had to give.
So when the 2025 NFL Draft rolled around, Chicago tried to make a move. GM Ryan Poles offered pick No. 39 and a seventh-rounder to jump the Patriots at No. 38 for Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson—a backfield dynamo with 4,614 career scrimmage yards and zero fumbles. But New England held firm and snagged Henderson for themselves.
With their target off the board, the Bears pivoted to Plan B—or was it Plan A+? They selected Missouri’s Luther Burden III, a versatile wideout who turned screens into symphonies and left SEC defenders in the dust. His 2,749 all-purpose yards and 26 touchdowns in college speak volumes, and with a 4.41 40-yard dash, he’s got game-breaking speed to match. One coach put it simply: “Luther’s not a gadget guy—he’s a cheat code.”
Burden joins an emerging receiver corps alongside DJ Moore and rookie standout Rome Odunze. It’s a group that suddenly gives Williams a true arsenal, one that could finally unleash the QB’s full potential. The Bears’ offensive reboot didn’t stop there—they traded for All-Pro guard Joe Thuney and added center Drew Dalman to reinforce protection, addressing last season’s glaring issues up front.
While some fans will always wonder what could’ve been with Henderson—especially in a backfield that remains a committee of D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, and Travis Homer—the front office’s decision shows clear intent: surround Caleb Williams with fast, dynamic weapons and let new head coach Ben Johnson craft the masterpiece.
Johnson, known for his work transforming Detroit’s offense, is already tailoring a system to fit Williams’s skill set—quicker reads, more RPOs, and creative motion with players like Burden. The focus is no longer just surviving the season but building something sustainable, explosive, and quarterback-friendly.
“Chicago #Bears tried to move up to pick No. 38, offering pick 39 and a seventh-rounder to do so. The assumption is that they wanted running back TreVeyon Henderson.”
Chicago selected WR Luther Burden III with pick 39.
(via @MikeReiss) pic.twitter.com/WUumjTI3Xm
— Chicago Bears Network (@bearsnetwork_) May 18, 2025
Chicago’s 5–12 finish in 2024 may have been ugly, but it sparked a shift in strategy. With Burden in the fold, better protection in place, and a coach with a vision, the Bears aren’t just hoping Caleb Williams succeeds—they’re giving him every reason to.