In search of a middle linebacker for seemingly the last three seasons, the Oakland Raiders hosted former Cincinnati Bengals signal caller Vontaze Burfict for a meeting on Tuesday.
Raiders head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock have meant business all offseason, beginning with trading for one of the best receivers in the league, Antonio.
They have since made a variety of signing, although most of them have come on the offensive side of the ball. It seems the focus is now shifting to defense though as Tom Pelissero of NFL Network is reporting that the Raiders were able to come to an agreement with Burfict on a one-year contract:
The #Raiders are signing LB Vontaze Burfict to a one-year contract, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 20, 2019
Ian Rappoport of NFL Network added to that report, saying the deal will be for $5 million with incentives built in:
It’s a 1-year worth roughly $5M including incentives. https://t.co/FRdowe8DYP
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 20, 2019
The signing reunites Burfict with Raiders defensive coordinator Paul Guenther, who previously held the same title with the Bengals.
Burfict has been suspended three times in the past three seasons, so he certainly comes with his baggage. But there is no denying that he can help out a Raiders defense that ranked dead last in points allowed a year ago.
In addition to Burfict, the Raiders also previously added safety Lamarcus Joyner through free agency to help bolster that defense. They still have three first-round picks in the upcoming draft as well.
