Middle linebacker Kevin Minter, who lockers and plays next to him, leaned on Vontaze Burfict’s vacant locker and applauded the Bengals signing him up for three more years at nearly $39 million.
“Deservedly so. He’s been of the top (inside) backers in this league for years,” said Minter before Friday’s walk-through at Paul Brown Stadium. “Regardless of that hit, I think he got what he deserves. He’s one of the leaders of this team and definitely a leader of this defense.
“You get to know the guy when you see how he interacts, how he actually makes us better, you see his worth and they see it upstairs.