Bengals cut controversial LB Burfict after 7 years
The Cincinnati Bengals have parted ways with one of the most polarizing players in franchise history.
The team released linebacker Vontaze Burfict on Monday after seven seasons comprised of controversial hits, millions of dollars lost to suspensions and fines, multiple concussions and at times, despite the distractions, terrific performances.
Cutting Burfict, the 28-year-old former Arizona State star who signed a 3year contraction extension last offseason worth $38.68 million and a $3.3 million signing bonus, will cost the Bengals a hit of $1.8 million in dead money. But the decision will save $5.5 million overall against the salary cap.
This was a move made on behalf of more than financial motivation.
Long gone were Burfict’s best days in the middle of the Bengals defense. His Pro Bowl honor in 2013 came during one of three seasons he piled up at least 100 total tackles.
But that was the last time Burfict appeared in more than 11 games in a season, and he last totaled more than 74 stops in 2016.
As production stalled, Burfict’s list of fines, suspensions and injuries grew longer.
He was fined twice last season totaling more than $165,000 for unnecessarily rough hits in games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Denver Broncos. Those occurred after Burfict began the season with a four-game suspension, costing him $1.84 million in game checks and bonus forfeitures, for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy in 2017.
He was sidelined during the Broncos game in Week 12 with a concussion and returned for just two more tackles the remainder of the season. It was at least the sixth concussion of Burfict’s career and the third consecutive season he missed substantial time in December due to a concussion.
The Bengals cut Burfict following the exits of a few of his chief supporters. Marvin Lewis and the Bengals parted ways following last season, removing the head coach who took a chance on Burfict as an undrafted free agent out of Arizona State in 2012.