Vontaze Burfict and Cincinnati Bengals Finally Ink Deal

Aug 24, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Last week, it was announced Vontaze Burfict and the Cincinnati Bengals had reached terms for a new deal. It was a week of silence and awkwardness any time it was brought up, a deal was signed today for 3 more years, locking him up through 2017. The deal last week was reportedly for $20 million dollars but has yet to be confirmed that it is correct.

Vontaze Burfict led the league in total tackles last season. He also led the Bengals defense in tackles for loss with 7, and 3 of those were sacks. Who can forget the fumble recovery for a Touchdown against Cleveland were he ran through the tunnel and got a way to go by an Ohio State Trooper on the back side. In fact, he ended up with two recoveries and one forced fumble.

Burfict was named to last year’s Pro Bowl, becoming the first since Bengals LB Jim LeClair in 1976. He was also named to the Associated Press All Pro 2^nd team. He went undrafted in 2012 after some off the field issues and was signed by the Bengals, and what a signing it was. If a deal wasn’t reached, he was scheduled to be a restricted free agent in 2015 and could have been out of the Bengals reach.

If Burfict can shake his early season bumps and bruises he has suffered in the last two preseason game, his talent and skill could help the Bengals to a fourth straight post-season and the Burfict to his second pro-bowl.