Bears complete deal with Luther Burden III

The Bears have agreed to terms with their final member of the 2025 draft class.

Bears finalize guaranteed contract with Luther Burden III

The Bears have reached an agreement with receiver Luther Burden III, securing the final member of their 2025 draft class. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Burden will play under a fully guaranteed rookie contract. This contract marks a milestone, making him the first player selected at No. 39 overall to receive such a deal. The recent trend in rookie contracts could also lead to guaranteed deals for players selected just ahead of Burden, such as TreVeyon Henderson from the Patriots and Jonah Savaiinaea from the Dolphins, who previously signed similar agreements.

This agreement reflects a changing landscape in rookie contracts in the NFL, where guaranteed deals are becoming increasingly common. Luther Burden III's contract sets a precedent for future selections, indicating a shift towards player security right from the draft. Teams may now reassess their approaches to rookie negotiations, potentially leading to higher costs for up-and-coming talents. It is interesting to observe how this marks a movement toward greater stability for new players entering the league, but it may also strain team budgets in future drafts. Overall, Burden stands as a representation of this evolving system.

Highlights

As more players secure guaranteed contracts, the future of rookie negotiations will continue to evolve.