NFL Rumors: Bengals’ LB Vontaze Burfict could command $9 million on open market

Coming out of Arizona State as one of the best linebackers on the field, Vontaze Burfict ended up not even being drafted because of his reported character issues. Eventually he was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals, giving him the chance to prove to everyone that not only could he be a model employee, but  he could also be one of the best linebackers in the NFL.

Well he has proven a lot of people wrong so far as Burfict has become a staple on the Bengals’ defense. In his two seasons with the team, he’s amassed 298 tackles with four sacks and eight passes defended, while at the same time not causing any sort of stir whatsoever and garnering the respect of his teammates and other players in the league.

But now, it’s decision time for the Bengals. In addition to the contract matter the team is currently taking care of with quarterback Andy Dalton, Burfict is also up for some negotiations.

And as former agent Joel Corry predicts via Cincinnati.com, Burfict, given his status as one of the top linebackers in the game, could command up to $9 million on the open market.

"The other long-term contract currently being negotiated at Paul Brown Stadium is for Vontaze Burfict, recently rated the 52nd best player in the NFL for 2014 by his peers for a show on NFL Network.Burfict ranks among the top linebackers in football, which on the open market today would place him in the $9 million per year range, according to Corry."

Burfict has proven thus far that he is worth keeping around, as some figure that if he would have goofed up, he would have done it by now within his first two seasons.