Linebacker Vontaze Burfict had a hard time staying out of trouble with the Cincinnati Bengals, which was part of the reason why they released him on Monday. Although, he is still a very productive presence on the field, which is why it only took him one day to find a new landing spot. Burfict agreed to a one-year deal with the Oakland Raiders, which is worth $5 million. The 28-year-old will have a familiar face to work with in defensive coordinator Paul Guenther, who was his coordinator with the Bengals from the 2014 season to the 2017 campaign.
.He is also now teammates with wide receiver Antonio Brown whom he has a tough history with from their days as rivals in the AFC North. Multiple incidents have taken place between the two, including in the 2015 playoffs, when Burfict was suspended three games for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Brown. The wideout was also taken down by the linebacker this past season with a late hit, led by an elbow, and was then held down on the ground. Brown called the play a "nasty hit" after the game.
Burfict was fined for the latter incident, but said in a phone interview on Tuesday that there were no lingering issues between the two players now that they were on the same team. Brown also tweeted out that the two have talked since, hinting at them being on the same page heading in to this season. That is good news for the Raiders, who just picked up a guy that had 33 tackles in just seven games this past season, this after he dealt with hip and concussion issues, as well as a suspension. Burfict says that he feels good in regards to his health, and now a new home may be what he needs to find more consistency in his career.
.He is also now teammates with wide receiver Antonio Brown whom he has a tough history with from their days as rivals in the AFC North. Multiple incidents have taken place between the two, including in the 2015 playoffs, when Burfict was suspended three games for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Brown. The wideout was also taken down by the linebacker this past season with a late hit, led by an elbow, and was then held down on the ground. Brown called the play a "nasty hit" after the game.
Burfict was fined for the latter incident, but said in a phone interview on Tuesday that there were no lingering issues between the two players now that they were on the same team. Brown also tweeted out that the two have talked since, hinting at them being on the same page heading in to this season. That is good news for the Raiders, who just picked up a guy that had 33 tackles in just seven games this past season, this after he dealt with hip and concussion issues, as well as a suspension. Burfict says that he feels good in regards to his health, and now a new home may be what he needs to find more consistency in his career.
