Bengals cut Vontaze Burfict after trying to trade him

The Cincinnati Bengals have released linebacker Vontaze Burfict, according to the NFL Network. The team actually tried to trade him for realizing that simply wasn’t going to happen.

This marks the end of what was once a very promising career for Burfict, who was an undrafted free agent out of Arizona State in 2012. He quickly became not only one of the Bengals’ best defenders in his first two seasons, but also one of the NFL’s best linebackers.

But after a Pro Bowl season in 2013, Burfict’s career quickly fell into a tailspin. Injuries, suspensions and concussions ultimately led to his downfall, so much that he was a liability on defense more often than not this past season.

Speaking, there’s been speculation Burfict’s frequent concussions could lead to him not playing another down of football in the NFL, though he’ll obviously try to find another team willing to take a gamble.

Even though his career will be a big ‘what if,’ he still goes down as one of the best linebackers to ever play in the Queen City. During his prime, he was already making a strong case as the best linebacker to ever play in Cincinnati.

Sadly, we only saw glimpses of what could have really been.