As the price tag for Caleb Williams’ future extension continues to climb ( driven further by the Houston Texans' strategy with C.J. Stroud ) the Chicago Bears’ success hinges on finding elite, low-cost production to balance the books. That mission officially began with the No. 39 overall selection of Luther Burden.

The Bears are possibly debating if Dillon Thieneman is a statistical upgrade over Jaquan Brisker , but the real transformation of this roster is happening on the other side of the ball. That started last year, and Burden is a significant part of it.

Burden's first big play as a Bear teased, but it was nothing like the way the team intended to use him and did.…