Fans and fantasy heads alike aren’t quite sure what to make of the Chicago Bears’ three-headed monster at WR and TE. Will Rome return to health and retain his spot atop the depth chart? Will Luther continue his ascent and build off his stellar second half of the season into the off-season where head coach Ben Johnson announced he would “buy stock in Luther Burden III”? What about Colston Loveland, will he turn into the All-Pro that many are expecting him to after lighting up the post-season and breaking the all-time rookie playoff receiving record?
Our own Jacob Infante published an article this week compiling the projected stats of all Chicago’s offensive weapons, which got me thinking.
Who do YOU feel will lead the team in receiving yards in 2026?
Let’s make the case for each one.
Rome Odunze
It sure seems that people forget the former Washington Husky led the nation in receiving yards as a Junior when he accumulated 1,640 yards on 92 catches (17.8 yards per catch) and over 100 yards per game. Heck, he even led the Pac-12 as a Sophomore with 1,145 yards receiving on 75 catches (15.3 per catch). Clearly the 6’3” 200+ pound wide out was more than just a “go up and get it” guy as he displayed excellent skills after the catch as well.
Simply put – there were plenty of reasons Odunze was a top 10 pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
Last season as the WR2 in Ben Johnson’s offense, Rome was leading the league in TD catches with five in the first four weeks of the season. A stress fracture in his foot slowed him down the remainder of the season and he ultimately secured fewer yards and fewer receptions than he had as a rookie. While his foot may never return to what it once was, he should absolutely be healthy enough to compete for the yardage leader in 2026.
Luther Burden III
He may not have led the nation or even his conference, but Luther Burden III received a ton of attention, rightfully so, for what he did as a true sophomore in the SEC when he had more yardage than upper classmen Brian Thomas Jr., Ricky Pearsall and Brock Bowers, among others.
The Missouri product flashed explosive ability after the catch and a competitive fire that Bears fans immediately saw in his rookie campaign as a pro. Additionally, he got open at a higher rate than any WR in his rookie season and his yards per route run as a rookie was higher than AJ Brown, Justin Jefferson, Puka Nacua, Ladd McConkey and Jamarr Chase in their rookie seasons.
To say the sky is the limit would be an understatement. But can he continue his ascent as the WR2 in a loaded offense?
Colston Loveland
Whenever you are drafted in the top 10, you immediately enter the league with sky-high expectations. A bar that is perhaps unfair for the average fan to appreciate, especially when there is already a starter at your position. But that is exactly the spot that the former Michigan Wolverine found himself in as a rookie in Chicago behind fan-favorite and former 2nd rounder Cole Kmet.
While it didn’t take long for Loveland to see the field, it wasn’t until week 9 that he finally broke out and had his first game with more than 3 catches. Loveland would finish his rookie year as the clear TE1 in Ben Johnson’s offense and would go on to break the all-time playoff record for most receiving yards by a rookie TE in the process. With his first off-season as the top TE and an entire season to work, Loveland has as good a chance as any TE in the league to lead his team in receiving yards.
What say you?! Who will lead the 2026 Chicago Bears in receiving yards?
Me personally, I feel Rome will lead the team in TD catches, but Luther Burden III will lead the team in receiving yards. His ability to get open and eat up yards after the catch is too lethal in this Ben Johnson offense. With DJ Moore gone, his snap count and targets should give him more than enough opportunities to clear 1,100 or 1,200 yards. Perhaps even more if his hits the ground running with Caleb starting in week 1!
