The Cincinnati Bengals have released linebacker Vontaze Burfict, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network adds that the Bengals shopped him for a while before ultimately parting ways with him.
Widely considered one of the dirtiest players in the league, Burfict has had a lot of difficulty staying healthy in recent years. He is coming off of a 2018 campaign in which he played seven games due to both a suspension and a hip injury, registering 33 tackles and three passes defended.
The 28-year-old has not played a full season since 2013 and has not participated in more than 11 games in any individual season since.
Burfict, who played his collegiate football at Arizona State University, went undrafted but eventually landed with the Bengals in 2012. He proceeded to play in all 16 games during his rookie campaign, finishing with 127 tackles, a sack and pair of fumble recoveries.
The following season, Burfict made the Pro Bowl after racking up a league-leading 177 tackles, three sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, a couple of fumble recoveries, six passes defended and a defensive touchdown.
Injuries—as well as suspensions—then began to hit, and, as a result, Burfict has not been the same player since that juncture.
The Bengals won just six games this past season, missing the playoffs for the third straight year after making five consecutive postseason appearances between 2011 and 2015.
Cincinnati has been one of the least successful NFL franchises over the better part of the last three decades, as it has won just one playoff game since 1989.
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