Dec 1, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; A general view of the helmet of Cincinnati Bengals long snapper Cal Adomitis (48) during warmups before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

PFF Names Oren Burks as Bengals Highest Upside 2025 Free Agent Addition

Originally posted on Cincinnati Bengals on SI
By Russell Heltman | Last updated Mar 27, 2025 12:15 PM ET

Pro Football Focus broke down each NFL team's free-agent signing with the most upside and Cincinnati's Oren Burks got the crown in the Queen City.

Burks just signed a two-year, $5 million deal after winning the Super Bowl with Philadelphia.

"The Bengals rightfully focused on getting new deals done for Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins this offseason but largely ignored their need for defensive upgrades," Ben Cooper wrote. "While it’s apparent that the team will have to start hitting on its defensive draft picks — after largely failing in that regard over the past few seasons — signing Oren Burks was a great start to building up the unit.

"Burks, fresh off a Super Bowl win with the Eagles, comes to Cincinnati on just a $5 million contract over two years. His best work came in the playoffs, where he filled in for an injured Nakobe Dean and finished as the postseason’s highest-graded linebacker (80.7)."

Burks will mix into a linebacker unit that also includes Germaine Pratt, Logan Wilson, and Maema Njongmeta.