Vontaze Burfict Trade Rumors: Bengals Address Buzz After LB's Suspension

Facing another suspension, Vontaze Burfict has seen his future with the Cincinnati Bengals come into question.

However, it appears head coach Marvin Lewis and Co. are sticking by the controversial linebacker—for now.

According to Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer, league sources believe Burfict's four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances will be upheld. The team commented on the situation at the league meetings this week.

"It's not ideal," Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin said, per Dehner. "The situation he has put us in is not ideal. We are a player-oriented business. Players that can make a difference are important and we recognize that. The more he's not available to us the more it hurts us."

In 2017, the 27-year-old linebacker recorded 69 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two passes defensed and a forced fumble.

He sets the defensive tone for the Bengals when he's on the field. But staying there has been a problem for him through the years. He was limited to 10 games last season, missing the first three because of a suspension he received for a preseason hit. Burfict was also absent three of the final four contests with injury. In addition, he was ejected from a matchup for making contact with an official.

After he played in all 16 regular-season games each of his first two seasons, injuries and suspensions have limited him to 36 contests the past four years.

His talent made him a first-round prospect, but his poor decision-making caused him to go undrafted in 2012.

Cincinnati signed Burfict to a three-year, $38.68 million extension before the 2017 season. As NFL Network's Ian Rapoport noted, it could be a costly suspension if the team decides enough is enough:

Entering his seventh season, Burfict remains one of the league's best linebackers. The Bengals have stayed patient with him because of his talent, but his inability to stay on the field routinely puts the team in a tough spot.

However, his latest suspension reportedly allows the team to get out from under his contract if it wants.