The Oakland Raiders have begun to pick up their activity with the free agency period now officially underway. The bulk of the focus from the front office is expected to lie on restructuring the roster on the defensive side of the ball.
This has put the Raiders in the midst of the rumor mill, reportedly expressing interest in a few of the top available players on the market. According to Chris Renkel of CBS 42 in Birmingham, Alabama, there are reportedly talks swirling around the possible trade of former Pro Bowl linebacker Vontaze Burfict to the Raiders.
Source: Oakland Raiders are working to trade for Cincinnati Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict.
Bengals just signed Burfict to a 3 year $38 mill extension last season.
— Chris Renkel (@Chris_Renkel) March 14, 2018
This rumored trade discussion does bring an intriguing potential addition for the Raiders' defense. Despite his continued erratic behavior on the field that has cost him playing time and fines, Burfict is a talented linebacker that could make a significant impact as an effective defensive player against the run.
Update: Some opposition to this rumor has arisen:
I don’t believe Burfict report is accurate. And neither do Bengals writers. 🎈📌 https://t.co/ao48ZdYeVd
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) March 14, 2018
Nope. https://t.co/QN7G3oPWiO
— Jim Owczarski (@JimOwczarski) March 14, 2018
Burfict's persistent questionable decision making on the field has kept him from playing a full season since the 2013 campaign. In the time since then, he has been fined and suspended numerous times by the NFL. In fact, he missed three games this past season for an illegal hit on Kansas City Chiefs fullback Anthony Sherman in Week 2 of the preseason. In total, he has been fined nearly $2.2 million and suspended for six games.
Burfict signed a three-year, $38 million extension with the Bengals just prior to the 2017 season. However, the 27-year-old appears to be not be fully engrained in the team's future plans if they are potentially involving him in trade talks. He is currently signed through the 2020 season and is set to enter the first year of his extension.
If the Raiders were to go this route, it would require them to take on the extra baggage that comes with his talent. Nonetheless, it would be a step in the right direction defensively with much-needed help for their front seven. If this rumor does hold any legitimacy, this would be an interesting move for both sides.
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