SHOW / EPISODE

Luther Burden Is BACK! Bears Offense About To UNLOCK? + Gervon Dexter Trade Heats Up

21m | Aug 27, 2026

The Chicago Bears are finally getting healthier at exactly the right time—and Luther Burden III is BACK on the practice field.

On today’s episode of Chicago Bears Central, Haize breaks down Burden’s return, what it could mean for Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson’s offense, the latest Bears 53-man roster bubble battles, the still-unsettled left tackle situation and why the Atlanta Falcons could become a legitimate trade destination for Gervon Dexter Sr.

Let’s start with the good news.

After missing multiple weeks with a groin injury, Luther Burden III returned to practice and participated in individual work as Chicago ramps toward the regular-season opener against Carolina.

And Burden wasn’t alone.

🔥 Darnell Wright returned after Tuesday’s injury scare

🛡️ Tyrique Stevenson was back in full

🎯 Tyson Bagent returned fully

💪 Elijah Hicks worked with the first-team defense

📈 Keyshaun Elliott returned after being activated from PUP

For a Bears team that spent much of training camp watching injuries pile up, getting key players back now is a massive development.

But Burden could mean even more.

Is Luther Burden the player who truly UNLOCKS this offense?

Chicago already has an impressive offensive core around Caleb:

Rome Odunze.

Luther Burden III.

Colston Loveland.

Cole Kmet.

D’Andre Swift.

Kyle Monangai.

Burden gives Ben Johnson something different.

He can work from the slot.

He can create after the catch.

He can become Caleb’s quick-game answer.

And with Rome stretching defenses outside while Loveland and Kmet attack linebackers and safeties inside, Burden could become the chess piece that makes Chicago incredibly difficult to defend.

The question?

He missed valuable camp time.

How quickly can the chemistry and conditioning catch back up?

And could Burden actually become Caleb Williams’ most important weapon by midseason?

Then we get into the final roster battles.

👀 Salvon Ahmed may have played his way onto the roster.

Kyle Monangai’s injury created an opportunity, and Ahmed has taken advantage with his burst, receiving ability and versatility.

Meanwhile:

✅ Jack Sanborn appears safely inside the bubble

✅ Kentavius Street could grab the final DT spot

❌ Skyler Thomas may be headed toward the practice squad

❌ Dontae Manning still has work to do

❓ Marcus Davenport could surprisingly find himself on the outside looking in

Then there’s the position Bears fans STILL can’t stop discussing:

🧱 LEFT TACKLE.

Braxton Jones currently appears to have the inside track, but Chicago also has Jedrick Wills Jr., Kiran Amegadjie, Theo Benedet and eventually Ozzy Trapilo as potential answers.

That sounds like depth.

But does Chicago actually have a tackle Ben Johnson completely trusts protecting Caleb’s blind side?

And finally…

🚨 Could the Atlanta Falcons make a serious run at Gervon Dexter?

Dexter is only 24 years old, started all 17 games last season and produced a career-high six sacks.

But he’s entering the final year of his rookie contract.

Atlanta suddenly makes sense because new Falcons GM Ian Cunningham knows Dexter extremely well from his time in Chicago, while Atlanta has a legitimate need along the defensive front.

If the Bears don’t plan on extending Dexter, could Cunningham call his former boss Ryan Poles and make an offer Chicago can’t refuse?

And what would the Bears need back to justify weakening an already-questionable defensive line?

Haize breaks it ALL down on today’s Chicago Bears Central.

🎙️ Hosted by Haize

Podcast Links: https://linktr.ee/ChiBearsCentral

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Email: ChicagoBearsCentral@gmail.com

Twitter:@ChiBearsCentral

Phone: ‪(773) 242-9336‬



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