Free Agent LB Vontaze Burfict Arrested

Free agent linebacker Vontaze Burfict was arrested early this morning, according to a report from ESPN. The 30-year-old was reportedly arrested in Nevada on a misdemeanor battery charge.

Records from the Clark County Detention Center show that Burfict is being held on a $1,000 bond, and a hearing for his case is scheduled for Monday. As the ESPN report notes, “information about the incident” that led to the arrest wasn’t readily available.

Burfict hasn’t been immune to controversy throughout his eight-year career, as the veteran has been suspended for 22 games and fined more than $5.0MM. Besides a 2018 ban for violating the leagues’ policy against performance-enhancing drugs, Burfict has generally been suspended for his on-field conduct. This includes a 12-game ban during the 2019 campaign following several helmet-to-helmet hits on Colts players.

The NFL reinstated Burfict back in February, giving him the green light to play during the 2020 campaign. So far, there hasn’t been any reported interest in the linebacker, although his agent said this offseason that the linebacker was working to change his style of play to fit the NFL’s rules (per ESPN).

The 2012 undrafted free agent out of Arizona State earned a Pro Bowl nod during his sophomore campaign after finishing with a league-leading 171 tackles (along with three sacks, one forced fumble, and one interception). That was the last time Burfict appeared in all 16 games during a season. He was ultimately cut by the Bengals at the end of the 2018 season, and he later joined the Raiders on a one-year pact.

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