The Cincinnati Bengals on Wednesday announced they've signed linebacker Vontaze Burfict to a three-year contract extension that runs through 2020. The deal will ostensibly pay him a lot of money _ nearly $39 million.
That would put Burfict among the highest paid linebackers in the NFL, a year after he posted 73 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions in 11 games.
Of course, this is Burfict we're talking about, so all financials are subject to change. The 26-year-old will be serving a suspension to start the season for a second consecutive year.
Last year, he missed the first three games after delivering a dirty hit on defenseless Steelers receiver Antonio Brown in the playoffs the previous season. The penalty for the play famously helped the Steelers drive for the winning field goal in an 18-16 victory in Cincinnati.
This year, Burfict will miss the first three games again because of a hit in a preseason game in which he knocked over a player who was not the intended receiver of the pass.
