During the Chicago Bears’ broadcast against the Buffalo Bills, former NFL tight end and commentator Greg Olsen exposed one of the most telling insights about how Bears general manager Ryan Poles views second-round rookie Luther Burden III. Olsen shared on-air that Poles believes Burden can end up being better than both DJ Moore and Rome Odunze.
“Ryan Poles told us, he’s probably gonna get mad at us for this but I don’t care,” Olsen said. “He said he thinks when it’s all said and done that he [Burden] could be better… You say he’s kinda DJ Moore, kinda Rome Odunze, but he thinks combined over time he can end up doing even better, which is pretty incredible for two first-round picks.”
Greg Olsen Reveals Ryan Poles’ High Praise for Luther Burden
That’s an eye-opening statement, not only because Poles compared Burden to the Bears’ two current first-round wideouts but also because he suggested the rook has the potential to surpass them both. For a player who slid to the second round due to questions about maturity and commitment, this type of praise signals just how impactful Burden has been since arriving in Chicago.
The confidence from Poles aligns with what fans saw on the field against Buffalo and Miami. Burden flashed his separation skills and smooth route-running, creating space against defenders. While some of it came from scheme design, much of it was the result of his quick feet, sharp cuts, and polished route running.
“That mofo is so polished,” former wide receiver Chad (Ochocinco) Johnson said about Burden. After the game, Burden’s confidence matched his play.
“I mean if I get too much space there is going to be a problem,” Burden said postgame. He wasn’t wrong. The Bills struggled to contain him, whether it was short, intermediate, or deep routes, and he turned several opportunities into explosive plays after the catch thanks to his elusiveness.
The Bears got the real deal in Burden.
Burden’s All-Around Game Silencing Critics
What makes Burden’s early performance even more encouraging for Chicago is that his impact goes beyond receiving. His blocking stood out against Buffalo as much as his catches. Ben Johnson always preaches “no block, no rock” and Burden has shown a willingness to not only block, but block well.
For a player who entered the league with whispers about his effort and maturity, this might be the strongest proof yet that he is fully committed to being a complete wide receiver.
Burden addressed his committed and credited Johnson in a press conference last month, saying, “I feel like I’ve got to know my stuff. He [Ben Johnson] holds everybody to a high standard here. It’s great for us, great for the team and that’s the standard here.”
That mentality has clearly resonated with him. Instead of being a question mark, Burden looks like a player eager to be held accountable.
Between Olsen’s revelation about Poles’ evaluation and Burden’s growth, the Bears appear to have struck gold. If he continues on this path, Chicago could easily boast the best wide receiver group in the NFL.
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