Jermaine Burton Faces Second Eviction as Bengals Future Hangs in the Balance
Legal Troubles Mount
According to Hamilton County (Ohio) records, Itan Properties LLC filed an eviction complaint against Burton on Feb. 6. The complaint states that he was served an eviction notice on Jan. 31 due to “lease violations” and was ordered to vacate the apartment by Feb. 4.
This follows a previous eviction case filed on Dec. 23 by Radius Acquisition LLC, which sought $2,506.33 in unpaid rent and $10,000 for damages beyond ordinary wear and tear.
Uncertain Standing with the Bengals
Amid these legal issues, Burton’s position with the Bengals is in jeopardy. Duke Tobin, the Bengals’ director of player personnel, was blunt about Burton’s status with the team, stating that the rookie wide receiver had “done nothing” to earn his spot.
“He’s done nothing, and he’s going to have to start doing something quickly,” Tobin told the Cincinnati Enquirer during Senior Bowl week. “We knew we were taking a risk. We felt comfortable that we could help him through some of the challenges he’s had in the past, and we’re going to continue to try to help him. But this is professional football, and you have to take accountability. You have to be accountable to your teammates, your coaches, and the team that you’re playing for. He has to figure that out—and he has to figure that out fast.”
Burton was drafted by the Bengals in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft and signed a four-year, $5.821 million contract, with only his $1.053 million signing bonus guaranteed. His on-field contributions have been minimal, with just four receptions for 107 yards and 13 kickoff returns for a 29.1-yard average.
Bengals’ WR Room in Flux
Burton’s situation comes at a time when the Bengals face major decisions at wide receiver. Tee Higgins played on the franchise tag in 2024 and is expected to command a lucrative contract if he reaches free agency. Ja’Marr Chase, who led the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns last season, is also seeking a long-term deal.
Off-Field Concerns and Inconsistencies
Burton’s troubles extend beyond his eviction cases. He was inactive for three games during his rookie season, including a crucial Week 9 game when he was expected to play a key role in the absence of Higgins. Head coach Zac Taylor later said Burton was benched because “we just got to handle all of our business the right way.”
Burton was also left off the team’s travel roster for their season finale in Pittsburgh. Reports later surfaced that a 19-year-old woman had called 911 earlier that week, alleging that Burton had chased her into her apartment, broken her phone, choked and hit her, and even put a knife to his neck while threatening suicide. No charges were filed in the incident.
Can Burton Turn It Around?
Burton’s former coach at Alabama, Nick Saban, previously noted that the talented wide receiver needed to develop more “emotional maturity” to succeed in the NFL.
“The No. 1 thing that he needs to do—and I think emotional maturity is the best way to say it—is do the right things all the time,” Saban said during the 2024 NFL Draft. “He does the right things on the field… but you’ve got to do the right things in your life all the time so that you can be the best player you can be.”
Despite his off-field issues, Taylor has expressed confidence that Burton can still have a future in Cincinnati.
“He’s a guy who’s going to have, I think, a really good career here,” Taylor said. “There’s a lot of things to love about Jermaine, so his best days are in front of him, and we’re going to make sure he achieves that.”
But with legal issues piling up and his future with the team in question, Burton may be running out of chances to prove he belongs in the NFL.
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