The Chicago Bears have signed second-round wide receiver Luther Burden III to his rookie contract, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
It’s a four-year deal worth $10.965 million and fully guaranteed. Per Schefter, it’s the first time in NFL history that the 39th overall pick has secured a fully-guaranteed deal.
Second-round offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo and defensive tackle Shemar Turner previously signed their rookie deals which included mostly-guaranteed money.
The moves come after a delay in second-round picks signing contracts as they were seeking fully-guaranteed deals like first-round selections receive. While Houston Texans receiver Jayden Higgins and Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger were awarded fully-guaranteed deals, San Francisco 49ers’ second-round pick Alfred Collins broke the cycle with a mostly-guaranteed contract and kickstarted a trend of second-round signings.
Burden is expected to play a key role in new head coach Ben Johnson’s offense. But Burden hasn’t been on the practice field since rookie minicamp as he missed OTAs and minicamp with a soft tissue injury. The expectation is he’ll be full-go for the start of training camp, where he’ll finally get the chance to build a rapport with quarterback Caleb Williams.
Following Burden’s signing, the Bears have all eight rookie draft picks under contract ahead of training camp. Rookies are set to report on Saturday while veterans report three days later next Tuesday.
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