One of the most controversial players in recent NFL history is returning to the game.
According to The Athletic’s Justin Williams, former Cincinnati Bengals and Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict has accepted a coaching job with the UNLV Rebels football program as a defensive analyst.
Was just informed former Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict is a defensive analyst at UNLV under first-year coach Dan Mullen and interim defensive coordinator Paul Guenther.
Guenther was Burfict’s LB coach and DC with the Bengals for a number of years. https://t.co/SfP7wTwJuo pic.twitter.com/is8IrVs4Sw
— Justin Williams (@Williams_Justin) August 7, 2025
At UNLV, Burfict reunites with interim defensive coordinator Paul Guenther, who played a major role in turning him into one of the hardest-hitting linebackers during his stint in the NFL.
Undrafted out of Arizona State, Burfict joined the Bengals while Guenther was serving as the team’s linebackers coach. The two would work together during their time in Cincinnati, with Guenther ascending to defensive coordinator. When Guenther went to the Raiders, he brought Burfict to join him in Las Vegas.
Despite Burfict having success at the NFL level, his penchant for illegal hits landed him in hot water with the league, and one such collision during his time with the Raiders against Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle spelled an end to his NFL run.
UNLV, however, gives Burfict an interesting landing spot to begin his coaching career. He and Guenther clearly still have a strong connection, and both the latter and head coach Dan Mullen are willing to overlook the on-field issues Burfict had to see if he can help their team out. With the Rebels hoping to continue the momentum of the last two years under former head coach Barry Odom, Burfict now has to do his part to help out a linebacker corps featuring some interesting talent.
Burfict made a serious impact during his time on the gridiron, and Mullen and Guenther are betting on him doing the same on the sideline.
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