It’s official. For the first time since he put on a helmet, Michael Burton will now get paid to play the game he loves.
The fifth round NFL draft pick signed a four-year deal with the Detroit Lions worth $2,464,356, according to spotrac.com. That contract comes with a $184,356 signing bonus, and $184,356 of guaranteed money over the life of the contract, which makes Burton a free agent in 2019. Burton was chosen 168th overall.
The Long Valley native, West Morris Central Wolfpack state champion, and Rutgers Scarlet Knights bowl winner just finished his rookie minicamp with the team.
Burton has already been lauded by his new team for his “fullback mentality,” telling detroitlions.com his positions is meant for smash-mouth football. “
“That’s what you’ve got to have, and that’s what I have,” Burton said in the interview. “I love contact. I love being the guy that spring it open.”
Burton is one of just five true fullbacks to be drafted in 2015, and has a chance at starting right away in Detroit.
“(Sports agent) Pat Capra and I talked about being in the best situation possible for what I can do, and I think Detroit is a great place,” Burton told Patch after he was drafted. “The Lions get their fullbacks involved, and move the ball around to everyone on the team. With Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson being able to take the top off the defense, it gives a lot of opportunity for play-action and the backs to get involved.”
Photo Credit: @detroitlions on Twitter
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