Vontaze Burfict suspended 4 games for PED violation

The Cincinnati Bengals will be without Vontaze Burfict for the first four games of the 2018 season, as he has been suspended for PED use.

For the third time in his carer, Vontaze Burfict is being suspended by the National Football League. Burfict, 27, has been banned for four games after violating the league’s performing enhancing drug policy, according to Adam Schefter to ESPN.

Burfict was also suspended for three games to begin last season after an illegal hit on Kansas City Chiefs fullback Anthony Sherman in a preseason game. His first suspension was also for three games after hitting Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown on a helmet-to-helmet shot in the 2015 AFC Wild Card round.

The Bengals signed Burfict to a three-year, $33 million deal last offseason, hoping he could put some of his past troubles behind him. Instead, the former Arizona State standout has continued to rack up issues, and Ian Rapoport tweets that Cincinnati can now move on without penalty from his contact unless the suspension is overturned.

Throughout his six-year career, Burfict has also been fined nine times for a laundry list of illegal hits and gestures. Now, he is endangering his future with the Bengals, who might be willing to move on despite his considerable talent.

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On the field, Burfict has amassed 571 tackles and 8.5 sacks in his career. Last season, the youngster notched 69 tackles and 1.5 sacks, while the Bengals missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

At this point, it might be best for both parties to part ways and start with a clean slate.