The Bengals signed free agent Oren Burks to add more experience to the linebacker room. Here are five things to know about the newest Bengal linebacker.
1. Super Bowl Experience
Burks has plenty of experience in the big moments: The linebacker has started in the last two Super Bowls for the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers, respectively. He has played in five NFC title games and 15 total postseason games.
2. Playoff Performer
Not only does Burks have vast experience in the postseason, he rises to the occasion. He tallied 25 tackles in four postseason games last season with the Eagles, including nine in the Divisional Round against Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels and the Commanders.
3. Draft Pedigree
Burks was drafted in the third round by the Green Bay Packers out of Vanderbilt in the 2018 NFL Draft.
4. Run Stuffer
The Bengals made a clear emphasis on shoring up the team's run defense this offseason between the additions of Burks and T.J. Slaton Jr. Burks recorded an 86.8 PFF run-defense grade last season, ranking 11th among all linebackers.
5. Vandy Versatility
Burks starred as a Vanderbilt Commodore from 2014-2017 after redshirting in 2013. He started a three different spots in three different seasons on the Commodore defense. Burks began his career with seven starts at safety as a redshirt freshman then started every game at free safety in 2015. In 2016, Burks moved to the "Star" linebacker-safety hybrid position and tallied a career high in tackles. He moved to inside linebacker full time as a redshirt senior in 2017, registering 82 total tackles as a defensive co-captain.
View the best photos of new LB Oren Burks
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Oren Burks (42) reads the play during the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. The Eagles defeated the Chiefs, 40-22. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Oren Burks (48) during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Oren Burks (42) celebrates after a play during the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. The Eagles defeated the Chiefs, 40-22. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Oren Burks (48) celebrates after making a stop during the NFL Super Bowl LVIII game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Washington Commanders' Austin Ekeler, center, is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles' Oren Burks, left, and Quinyon Mitchell during the NFC Championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Oren Burks (48) celebrates a tackle against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec, 3, 2023, in Philadelphia. the 49ers defeated the Eagles 42-19. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (23) runs with the ball against Philadelphia Eagle linebacker Oren Burks (42) during the NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Oren Burks (48) defends during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Scot Tucker)
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Oren Burks (42) reacts after kickoff during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Oren Burks (48) celebrates after intercepting a pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
