Michael Burton

Michael Burton Bio

Michael Burton is an American professional football fullback who has played in the National Football League since being drafted in 2015. Born on February 1, 1992, in Long Valley, New Jersey, Burton has established himself as a reliable lead blocker and special teams contributor across multiple NFL franchises. Over his career, he has demonstrated versatility at the fullback position while also seeing limited action as a running back in short-yardage situations. Burton’s journey through the NFL includes stops with the Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, Washington Redskins, Kansas City Chiefs, and Denver Broncos before joining the Cleveland Browns in 2026. Notably, he captured a Super Bowl championship with the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2022 season.

Early Life and Background

Michael Burton grew up in Long Valley, New Jersey, where he attended West Morris Central High School in Washington Township. During his high school years, Burton played football and developed the foundation for his future as a professional fullback. His performance at the high school level helped him attract attention from college programs seeking a versatile blocking back.

After completing high school, Burton continued his football career at the collegiate level. He accepted a scholarship to play for Rutgers University, joining the Rutgers Scarlet Knights program. This decision placed him at one of the premier college football programs in the Northeast, where he would have the opportunity to develop his skills against tough Big Ten competition.

Path to American Football

Burton spent four seasons at Rutgers from 2011 to 2014, steadily developing into a reliable contributor at the fullback position. His collegiate career showed consistent improvement, with his receiving numbers trending upward each season. In his freshman year, he recorded 10 carries for 44 rushing yards along with 10 receptions for 68 yards and a receiving touchdown. He continued to refine his skills throughout his sophomore and junior seasons, culminating in a productive senior year where he caught 15 passes for 150 yards.

His versatility as both a blocker and receiver made him an attractive prospect for NFL teams seeking a complete fullback package. NFL scouts took notice of his ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game. On draft day in 2015, Burton’s dream of playing professional football became reality when he was selected in the fifth round with the 168th overall pick by the Detroit Lions, marking the beginning of his professional career.

Michael Burton Career

Detroit Lions (2015–2016)

Burton entered the NFL with high expectations after being drafted by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract worth $2.46 million with a signing bonus of $184,356. Upon joining the team, Burton immediately competed for the starting fullback position against Emil Igwenagu and ultimately won the job, earning the starting role entering the regular season.

He made his professional debut and first career start in the Lions’ season-opener against the San Diego Chargers. Burton recorded his first career carry in a game against the Minnesota Vikings and secured his first career reception during a matchup with the Seattle Seahawks. His most memorable moment of the rookie season came in Week 15 when he caught a four-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford in a victory over the New Orleans Saints. He finished his rookie year with 7 rushing yards, 39 receiving yards, and a touchdown while starting seven games.

In his second season with the Lions, Burton appeared in 15 games primarily as a special teams contributor. He recorded one tackle on special teams but saw limited offensive action. The Lions ultimately waived Burton on May 30, 2017, after two seasons with the organization.

Chicago Bears Era (2017–2018)

The Chicago Bears claimed Burton off waivers the day after his departure from Detroit. He immediately became part of the Bears’ offense and made his debut with the team in the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons, recording one rush for seven yards. During the 2017 season, Burton appeared in 16 games and started three, showing his ability to contribute as a situational player.

The following year saw Burton’s role diminish somewhat as he appeared in only eight games with one start. His primary responsibilities shifted toward working as a blocking back in short-yardage situations. Despite reduced playing time, he remained a reliable presence in the locker room and on special teams coverage units.

New Orleans Saints and Washington Redskins (2019)

Burton signed with the New Orleans Saints in May 2019 but was released before the regular season began. He quickly found a new opportunity, signing with the Washington Redskins in October 2019. With Washington, Burton appeared in ten games and started two, providing depth at the fullback position while contributing on special teams.

Kansas City Chiefs (2021–2022)

Burton joined the Kansas City Chiefs in April 2021, signing with the Super Bowl champions. He quickly became an integral part of the offense, appearing in all 16 regular season games plus three postseason contests during the 2021 campaign. A highlight came in Week 15 when he scored his first career rushing touchdown on a seven-yard run against the Los Angeles Chargers. His contributions helped the Chiefs advance through the playoffs.

Burton re-signed with the Chiefs in March 2022 on a one-year deal. He continued his strong play during the 2022 season, appearing in all 17 regular season games and the three postseason games. The pinnacle of his career came when the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38–35 in Super Bowl LVII, giving Burton his first championship ring. This victory marked the culmination of years of hard work and dedication to his craft.

Denver Broncos Era (2023–2025)

In March 2023, Burton signed with the Denver Broncos on a one-year contract, joining a Broncos team looking to rebuild under new leadership. He appeared in all 17 games during the 2023 season as both a fullback and special teams player. His versatility and veteran experience proved valuable to a young Broncos roster.

The Broncos rewarded Burton with a one-year contract extension in March 2024. He experienced fluctuations in his roster status during the 2024 season, being released and re-signed to the practice squad before earning a promotion to the active roster in September. He finished the 2024 season with 8 rushing yards and a touchdown, 65 receiving yards and a touchdown, plus six tackles on special teams.

Burton and the Broncos agreed to another one-year extension in March 2025. Unfortunately, he suffered a hamstring injury prior to the preseason and was placed on season-ending injured reserve in August 2025, cutting his season short.

Cleveland Browns (2026–Present)

On April 27, 2026, Burton signed a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns, joining his seventh NFL franchise. His journey through the league exemplifies the perseverance required to maintain a professional football career, having played for seven different organizations over more than a decade in the NFL.

Playing Style and Strengths

Burton has built his NFL career on being a reliable, physical lead blocker capable of creating running lanes for ball carriers. His versatility allows him to contribute as a receiver out of the backfield when called upon, making him a three-down option at the fullback position. He has demonstrated soft hands as a receiver, particularly on short-yardage and red-zone plays where he has recorded multiple touchdowns throughout his career. Beyond his offensive contributions, Burton has consistently been a core special teams player, earning playing time through his willingness to contribute in all phases of the game.

Notable Events and Milestones

The defining moment of Burton’s career came in February 2023 when he won Super Bowl LVII as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. His touchdown reception against the New Orleans Saints during his rookie season with the Detroit Lions marked his first career score in the NFL. Additionally, his first career rushing touchdown with the Chiefs in 2021 represented a personal milestone that showcased his dual-threat ability.

Michael Burton Career Statistics

Throughout his NFL career spanning from 2015 to present, Michael Burton has compiled statistics across both rushing and receiving categories while maintaining a reputation as a reliable lead blocker and special teams contributor. His career totals reflect a player who has maximized limited opportunities while excelling in his specialized role.

NFL Career Totals

Burton has appeared in over 100 career games across his ten-plus seasons in the NFL. His career statistics include 79 rushing yards on 41 attempts with 2 rushing touchdowns, and 31 receptions for 196 receiving yards with 2 receiving touchdowns. These numbers understate his value, as his primary contributions come in blocking assignments that do not show up in traditional statistics.

College Career Highlights

At Rutgers, Burton demonstrated his receiving ability over four productive seasons. His best year came in 2013 when he caught 19 passes for 149 yards and 2 touchdowns. His senior season in 2014 saw him record 15 receptions for 150 yards, showing consistency in his ability to contribute as a receiver despite playing the fullback position.

Michael Burton Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

While Michael Burton does not come from a family with professional football lineage, his supportive family environment in Long Valley, New Jersey, helped foster his athletic ambitions. His parents supported his development throughout his youth football career and high school years, providing the foundation for his eventual path to the NFL.

Personal Life

Burton is married to his high school sweetheart, Kirsten Burton. Together they have built a family with two daughters and a son. Off the field, Burton has spoken publicly about his Christian faith, crediting his beliefs for providing him strength and perspective throughout his football career and the challenges that come with playing for multiple teams. His commitment to his family and faith remains central to his identity beyond football.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season held promise for Michael Burton and the Denver Broncos after his re-signing in March. Unfortunately, the season ended before it truly began when Burton suffered a hamstring injury during the preseason. The injury proved serious enough to require placement on season-ending injured reserve in late August, eliminating any chance of on-field contributions during the campaign.

Despite the setback, Burton’s agreement to another one-year extension with the Broncos demonstrated the organization’s confidence in his leadership and veteran presence in the locker room. His mentorship value to younger players on the roster represented an intangible contribution that would have complemented his on-field abilities had he remained healthy.

The injury marked a frustrating chapter in Burton’s career, interrupting his streak of consistent playing time. As he continues his football journey, Burton will look to return to the field and continue adding to his legacy as one of the more durable fullbacks to play the position across multiple franchises in the modern NFL era.