The Cincinnati Bengals agreed to a one-year deal with offensive tackle Trent Brown, and former linebacker Vontaze Burfict took to social media to voice his opinion on the signing.
Burfict played with Brown during the short one-year Oakland (Las Vegas) Raiders stint at the end of his career in 2019. Brown has outlasted Burfict in the NFL after coming into the league three years later than him.
Vontze Burfict referred to future Cincinnati Bengals tackle Trent Brown as ‘soft’
Former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict commented on a social media post regarding the signing of tackle Trent Brown.
My dawg Burfict not sold on Trent. 😏 pic.twitter.com/HEwASYkn04
— ZIM (@zimwhodey) March 20, 2024
Burfict and Brown both played for the Raiders for one and two years, respectively. Burfict played in just four games in the 2019 season while Brown played in 11. Burfict was out of the league the next year. Brown continued to play for the Raiders, but he only played in five games that next year.
Brown ranked out as the 11th-best tackle in the league according to his Pro Football Focus grade of 80.2, but his ability to stay healthy is a concern for Cincinnati. He has only played in three full seasons out of the nine years he has been in the NFL. Two of those full seasons came in the first four years of his career.
Brown played in just 14 games in 2020 and 2021 combined. He was able to stay healthy for a full season in 2022, but the 30-year-old tackle couldn’t continue the trend in 2023.
When healthy, the 6-foot-8, 370-pound tackle is an improvement over the Bengals offensive line situation from 2023. Brown explained why in an article from NFL.com.
“That’s what I do best,” Brown said of his ability to play either tackle position, via Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic. “I think that’s why I’m here. You won’t find another tackle in the league or game of football that does that better than me. I have a unique set of skills that way.”
Regardless of his Trent Brown evaluation, Vontaze Burfict was anything but “soft” when he played for the Cincinnati Bengals
Many fans consider Burfict one of the dirtiest players in recent memory, so one would be hard-pressed to find a fan who referred to Burfict as a “soft” player.
Burfict led the NFL in tackles during the 2013 season. He was a second-team All-Pro selection and a Pro Bowl selection for the only time in his career.
Born on this date in #Bengals history, Vontaze Burfict turns 31 today. Burfict played seven years in #Cincinnati (2012-18) where he combined for 604 tackles, 9 sacks, 5 interceptions and returned a fumble for a touchdown. #RuleTheJungle #WhoDey #BengalBirthdays @King55Tez pic.twitter.com/xuym9AKYPj
— Brandon (@NastyNati740) September 24, 2021
The most famous and memorable play of Burfict’s career was when he was penalized for a hit on Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown in a 2015-2016 AFC Wild Card matchup.
I’m no doctor, but maybe Antonio Brown never recovered from this disgusting hit by Vontaze Burfict pic.twitter.com/7FKGRs9AiD
— Eric Rosenthal (@ericsports) January 2, 2022
Many fans speculated that this hit altered the career and legacy of Antonio Brown. They argue that he never fully recovered from the hit, which caused him to act out in erratic ways and do things like take his pads off and leave in the middle of a game.
I’m sorry but you can’t tell me Antonio brown doesn’t have cte .. before the burfict hit he talked and acted like this pic.twitter.com/on89mnKA5W
— John (@iam_johnw) October 1, 2022
For everyone making fun of Antonio Brown go back and watch the helmet to helmet hit from Vontaez Burfict when he was a Steeler. He has not been the same since that hit. Something is definitely wrong with him and he needs help #TBvsNYJ
— Terry Alexander (@patriots87fan) January 2, 2022
Burfict was known for his ability to impose his will on the football field throughout his NFL career, but that hit is the one for which he is most known. His reputation even caused him to be suspended for the remainder of his final NFL season after a helmet-to-helmet hit.
The NFL just announced they are suspending Raiders’ LB Vontaze Burfict the remainder of the season after this late hit to Jack Doyle. pic.twitter.com/G2ho1N183h
— Indy SportsOne (@IndySportsOne) September 30, 2019
Here’s the other helmet-to-helmet hit that Vontaze Burfict delivered during Sunday’s game: second quarter, 13:24 left, and Burfict launches and blasts Colts’ RB Nyheim Hines away from the play. Later came the hit on Colts’ TE Jack Doyle that got him ejected and suspended. pic.twitter.com/8Dvb7xPZgo
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 5, 2019
Whether Burfict’s evaluation of Brown is real or just tongue-in-cheek, the Bengals will hope Brown can stay healthy for a playoff run in 2024.
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