The Jets claimed former Miami Dolphins LB James Burgess off waivers on Tuesday, placing UDFA RB Jalin Moore on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury List as a corresponding move.
Burgess becomes the third player that has ties to Adam Gase to join the Jets since Gase took over as the interim general manager. However, Burgess ties are more extensive to Gregg Williams, where he spent the better part of two seasons in Cleveland.
With that being said, let’s get to know the newest Jets linebacker.
Multiple ties to Coaching Staff
James Burgess originally signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent out of Louisville in Adam Gase’s first season as head coach.
Burgess was part of Miami’s final roster cuts in 2016 and landed on the Cleveland Browns practice squad after three separate stints on the practice squads of the Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars.
With Gregg Williams running the defense in Cleveland, Burgess had 55 tackles, four sacks and a forced fumble in 17 games for the Browns over the past two seasons.
After being placed on injured reserve and subsequently waived, Burgess found himself on the Dolphins practice squad before Gase was ousted as head coach. Now, the two reunite in New York.
In the Family
Football runs in the family, as Burgess’ father, James Burgess Sr. was also an NFL linebacker for a short time.
The elder Burgess played college football at the University of Miami before ascending to the next level. In two professional seasons, Burgess had stints with the Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys.
A short-lived NFL career led Burgess to pursue football opportunities elsewhere. Burgess played for the Orlando Rage of the XFL, where he was named to the All-XFL team in 2001, and the Calgary Stampede of the CFL.
Exercised his rights to Protest
During the 2017 NFL season, in a game against the Indianapolis Colts, James Burgess elected to kneel during the national anthem in protest of President Donald Trump’s comments on an NFL player’s right to free speech.
Burgess took to Twitter to express his frustration and disappointment in a president that he once supported.
Burgess was among 20 Browns players who took a knee during the national anthem as part of a league-wide response to Trump’s controversial comments.
Been Around the Block
Burgess played in three games for the Cleveland Browns in 2018, but was placed on IR in October and eventually released following sustaining multiple injuries.
Burgess signed with the Dolphins practice squad, rejoining the team that signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Louisville in 2016. He has also had stints with the Chargers, Ravens and Jaguars, all in 2016.
Now, he rejoins the coach who has signed him three times before. This time around, Burgess is hoping he’s a permanent fixture with the Jets.
