Burden led the Bears in targets for the second straight week in a 27-7 primetime win. He hauled in seven of his 11 targets for 61 yards and a TD along with a 7 yard rush attempt for a fringe WR1 finish to Week 3. It marks his highest scoring week of the young season and matches the second-highest of his career.
2026 Fantasy Football Impact: Breakout Path Still Open
Despite the low output through the first two weeks, Burden’s usage has indicated that the second-year breakout is still arriving. The Bears WR target share has grown each week, going from 19.2% in Week 1 to a team-leading 23.3% in Week 2 before his season-high 32.4% against the Eagles in Week 3.
Burden flashed as a rookie, becoming one of just six rookie WRs to post at least 2.50 yards per route run on at least 200 routes. That list included:
- Ja’Marr Chase
- Justin Jefferson
- Puka Nacua
- AJ Brown
- Odell Beckham Jr
That upside remains on track, with the second-year WR producing 19.8 PPR points while continuing to lead the team in targets. It also comes with the Bears on their third-string QB.
Burden will look to continue his impressive target volume uptick in a tough Week 4 matchup against a Jets defense that’s given up the fourth fewest receiving yards.
