Cincinnati Bengals: Vontaze Burfict suspension effects
By Kenn Korb
What This Means Going Forward
Regardless of if this suspension gets reduced (based on his history, at least some of it will stand), this instance puts the future of the player and franchise in flux. Had this not happened, there was at least some chance Burfict made it through the year unscathed by fines/suspensions. That would be unlikely, of course (he’s had at least one fined offense every season of his career), but that’s completely out the window before the games even matter.
His availability is something which always must be a concern now, to a greater degree than ever before. The man couldn’t even keep out of trouble in a meaningless game in which he only was set to play a couple drives; to invest significant resources into him would be a mistake.
That’s especially important this season, by the way. Burfict is set to be a free agent this offseason, and he should expect significant offers despite his position (4-3/non-rush linebackers tend to be less expensive than 3-4/rush linebackers) and his conduct problems just due to talent alone.
More from Cincinnati Bengals
- Bengals Joe Burrow appears to have avoided training camp disaster
- 2023 NFL Season: Predicting the passing touchdown leaders
- 2023 NFL Predictions: Every Divisional Winner for the 2023 Season
- 2023 NFL Season: Way too early picks for division winners
- Fantasy Football: Undervalued, sleeper RBs to target in drafts in 2023
According to Pro Football Focus Edge, only Paul Posluszny bested Burfict’s 87.1 overall grade among AFC 4-3 linebackers. He also ranked in the top five for run-stop percentage and stops among qualifying players in his position group.
That means little when a guy can’t stay on the field, however, and investing a ton of money into him means you’re also willing to run the risk of him missing a handful of games each year. That risk only grows with every additional transgression he commits, and based on how often he’s committed them to this point, it will likely continue being a problem until he retires.
From Cincinnati’s end, it calls many things into question. Right now, he’s one of their two best defensive players (Geno Atkins is still above him). It’s hard to move away from that level of a player, but his excellent ability gets undone if he can’t be on the field to use it because he cannot adjust his play to keep himself out there.
Burfict is also only here in the first place because of the current coaching staff, and who knows how much longer they’ll be in place. Marvin Lewis has been in retirement rumors for around half a decade now, and he currently sits on an expiring contract. If he doesn’t return, how willing would a new coach be to deal with the problems inherent to Burfict?
Then, even if he does decide he’s a worthwhile building block in theory, how much money would the notoriously frugal organization be willing to give to a player at a non-premium position who is likely to miss chunks of multiple seasons due to his conduct if his biggest backer is no longer leading the team?
When it comes down to it, this suspension could — and probably should — be the beginning of the end for Burfict in Cincinnati.
His expected next contract and the future on-field costs just don’t add up to him being worth the sort of money he’ll probably command on the open market, and if the coach who’s continued to stand with him isn’t around much longer there will be less concrete support for keeping a troubled player like him around.
Next: NFL 2017: One superstar megatrade for each team
In the immediate future, this team’s desire to return to the playoffs takes a massive hit. Even if the number gets reduced (he’s challenging the ruling, with that set to occur next week), he’s almost certainly missing some time, and their first three games come against possible playoff contenders (Baltimore, Houston, Green Bay).
If (when?) Cincinnati finds itself on the outside looking in, this suspension — and Burfict — will likely be a main culprit.