Tensions flared during last Sunday’s divisional matchup between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, and rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III found himself at the center of the controversy.
Burden was involved in an on-field altercation with Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon, an incident that drew the league’s attention and ultimately resulted in the NFL issuing Burden an $11,075 fine.
Luther Burden III Attempted To Choke Keisean Nixon
Tensions flared early in Sunday’s divisional matchup as the Packers jumped out to a 14–3 lead, with the Bears’ lone first-half points coming on a drive aided by two penalties on Nixon, one of which stemmed from an altercation involving Burden.
The incident occurred in the second quarter following a short run, when Burden shoved Packers cornerback Carrington Valentine multiple times near the helmet area. As teammates rushed in to separate the players, replay footage showed Burden grabbing Nixon around the neck, prompting the Packers’ corner to shove him away.
In real time, officials penalized only Nixon with a 15-yard unnecessary roughness flag and briefly sent him to the bench. Upon further review, however, the league determined responsibility lay elsewhere.
The NFL announced Saturday that Burden was fined $11,075 for “unnecessary roughness,” while Nixon escaped discipline. For perspective, Burden’s base P5 salary this season totals $840,000. It makes up for roughly $47,000 per game, meaning the fine costs him about a quarter of a weekly paycheck before taxes.
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Selected 39th overall by the Bears, Burden’s rookie season has been slowed by injuries, including a hamstring issue that sidelined him during OTAs and early training camp, followed by a concussion in November.
However, he has still appeared in 12 games, hauling in 30 receptions for 395 yards and one touchdown. He currently ranks 22nd in PFSN’s WR Impact metric with a 79.4 rating and a C+ grade.
Chicago, meanwhile, continues to trend upward. After a rough 2024 campaign, Ben Johnson and his staff have overseen a turnaround, with the Bears sitting at 9–4 entering Week 15, and firmly in the race for both the playoff and NFC North title.
According to PFSN’s Playoff Predictor, Chicago holds a 74.4% chance of making the playoffs and a 29% chance of winning the NFC North. If Chicago can take care of the business against the Cleveland Browns in Week 15, a single win against either the Packers, Lions, or 49ers in the final stretch would be enough for a postseason berth.
For a team written off a year ago, the Bears now control their own destiny, and the finish line is in sight.