Artie Burns

Artie Tyrone Burns Jr. Bio

Artie Tyrone Burns Jr. is an American professional football cornerback currently playing for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. Born on May 1, 1995, in Miami, Florida, Burns has built a professional football career spanning multiple NFL franchises over nearly a decade. He played college football for the University of Miami Hurricanes from 2013 to 2015, earning Second-team All-ACC honors in 2015. The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Burns in the first round with the 25th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, marking the beginning of his professional journey. His career has taken him through Pittsburgh, Chicago, Seattle, and finally back to his hometown of Miami, where he continues his NFL career.

Early Life and Background

Burns grew up in Miami, Florida, where he attended Miami Northwestern High School. During his junior year at Miami Northwestern, Burns played safety and recorded 80 tackles, including 10 for losses. He also recorded an impressive 22 interceptions, broke up 87 passes, and caused 17 fumbles throughout his high school career. Burns was regarded as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com and was listed as the No. 15 cornerback prospect in his class, drawing significant attention from major college programs across the country.

Beyond football, Burns excelled in track and field during his time at Miami Northwestern. He was named an All-USA high school track and field team selection by USA Today in both 2011 and 2012. At the 2011 USA Youth outdoor track and field championships, Burns won both the 110-meter hurdles and the 400-meter hurdles. In 2012, he broke records in the 110 hurdles and 300-meter hurdles at the Bob Hayes Invitational, with both records previously held by Michael Timpson since 1985. His 110 hurdles time was the second-fastest worldwide by a youth athlete in 2012.

Burns committed to play college football at the University of Miami, where the Hurricanes coaching staff hoped to pair him with Tracy Howard as their starting cornerbacks. He would go on to have an impressive collegiate career with the Hurricanes, developing into one of the top cornerback prospects in the country.

Path to Professional Football

During his three seasons at the University of Miami from 2013 to 2015, Burns developed into a shutdown cornerback for the Hurricanes defense. His standout performance in the 2015 season earned him Second-team All-ACC recognition, solidifying his status as a future professional player. His combination of size, speed, and ball skills made him an attractive prospect for NFL teams looking for cornerback help in the 2016 draft.

Coming out of Miami, Burns was projected by analysts to be selected in either the first or second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He attended the NFL Combine but was unable to complete all the drills after suffering a knee injury. Burns chose to participate in Miami’s Pro Day, where he stood on his combine numbers but elected to redo the vertical jump, adding two inches while completing the other drills he was unable to perform at the combine. Despite working out in a torrential downpour, Burns impressed representatives from 31 teams, including Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. General managers from three teams commented that he was a top cornerback prospect in the draft class.

Artie Tyrone Burns Jr. Career

Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2016–2019)

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Burns in the first round with the 25th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He became the first cornerback selected by the Steelers in the first round since Chad Scott was drafted 24th overall in 1997. On June 8, 2016, the Steelers signed Burns to a four-year, $9.59 million rookie contract with a $5.17 million signing bonus. Burns was expected to compete against Ross Cockrell and Senquez Golson for the starting cornerback role during training camp, but his development was delayed after suffering a strained quad that limited his participation and caused him to miss the first three preseason games.

Burns began his rookie season as the third cornerback behind veterans William Gay and Ross Cockrell. He was promoted to the starting nickelback position for the sixth game of the season. On November 6, 2016, Burns made his first career start against the Baltimore Ravens and recorded his first career interception on a pass by Joe Flacco in the first quarter. This interception was the first by any Steelers defensive back that season. Burns finished his rookie season with 65 combined tackles, 13 pass deflections, and three interceptions in 16 games with nine starts.

In the 2017 season, Burns was named the starting cornerback alongside newly acquired free agent Joe Haden. He started all 16 games and recorded 54 combined tackles, 13 pass deflections, a fumble recovery, and one interception. His performance earned him a 70.5 grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking him 44th among all cornerbacks that season.

The 2018 season proved more challenging for Burns. In Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs, he recorded his first career safety when he tackled Kareem Hunt in the end zone during a 42-37 loss. In a notable moment on December 2, Burns jumped offsides three times during the Los Angeles Chargers kicker’s attempt to convert a game-winning field goal. Overall, he played in all 16 games with six starts, recording 22 total tackles, one pass deflection, and one forced fumble. On May 1, 2019, the Steelers declined the fifth-year option on Burns’s contract, making him a free agent in 2020.

Chicago Bears (2020–2021)

Burns signed with the Chicago Bears on March 26, 2020, seeking a fresh start and an opportunity to revitalize his career. Unfortunately, his tenure with the Bears was derailed by injury early in the 2020 season. On August 18, 2020, Burns suffered a torn ACL during practice and was carted off the field, ruling him out for the entire season. He was placed on injured reserve two days later. Burns re-signed with the Bears on March 26, 2021, but his time in Chicago came to an end after the season.

Seattle Seahawks (2022–2024)

Burns signed with the Seattle Seahawks on March 18, 2022, beginning a multi-year stint with the franchise. He re-signed with the Seahawks on May 22, 2023, but was released on August 30 and signed to the practice squad. Burns was promoted to the active roster on September 20, 2023. He re-signed with the Seahawks again on March 15, 2024, and went through a similar pattern of being released and re-signed to the practice squad. On October 10, 2024, Burns was signed to the active roster but was placed on injured reserve four days later due to a toe injury. The Seahawks waived him on December 17, and he was re-signed to the practice squad two days later.

Miami Dolphins Era (2025–Present)

Burns returned to his hometown on March 17, 2025, signing a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins. This homecoming marked a full-circle moment for the Miami native, as he now plays for the team located in the city where he grew up and began his football journey. However, his debut season with the Dolphins encountered an immediate setback when he tore his ACL on the first day of training camp. The Dolphins placed him on injured reserve on July 24, 2025, ending his hopes of contributing during the 2025 season.

Playing Style and Strengths

Burns possesses the prototypical size and length that NFL teams look for in cornerbacks at the professional level. His 6-foot-0 frame and athletic ability allowed him to match up against various types of receivers throughout his career. His experience playing multiple cornerback positions, including outside corner, nickelback, and safety, provides him with versatility that coaches value. His background in track and field, particularly his hurdling experience, demonstrates his explosive athleticism and speed that translated to his football performance.

Notable Career Milestones

Burns’s rookie season in 2016 proved to be the most productive of his career from an interception perspective, as he recorded three interceptions and established himself as a potential building block for the Steelers defense. His first career interception against Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens marked the beginning of his professional career highlights. Being selected 25th overall in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Steelers was itself a significant achievement, as he became the first cornerback Pittsburgh had drafted in the first round in nearly two decades.

Artie Tyrone Burns Jr. Career Statistics

Throughout his NFL career spanning from 2016 to 2025, Burns has appeared in numerous games across four franchises while recording consistent tackle numbers and pass deflections. His career statistics reflect a player who has contributed as a starter and reserve throughout his professional journey.

NFL Career Totals (2016–2025)

Burns entered the 2025 season with career totals of 199 combined tackles, 38 pass deflections, 4 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 forced fumble across his time with the Steelers, Bears, and Seahawks. His best statistical season came during his rookie year in 2016 when he recorded 65 tackles and 3 interceptions while starting nine games. The 2017 season saw him start all 16 games and record 54 tackles with 13 pass deflections.

College Career Highlights

At the University of Miami, Burns earned Second-team All-ACC honors following the 2015 season, which showcased his development into one of the premier cornerbacks in the conference. His college career provided the foundation for his professional opportunities, as the Hurricanes utilized him in various coverage schemes that prepared him for the complexities of NFL offenses.

Artie Tyrone Burns Jr. Family

Family Background

Burns was born to Artie Tyrone Burns Sr. and Dana Smith in Miami, Florida. His father, Artie Tyrone Burns Sr., was arrested in South Carolina on October 24, 2006, for trafficking cocaine and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. His father’s projected release date is May 24, 2027. Burns’s mother, Dana Smith, passed away from a heart attack at the age of 44 in October 2015, just before his senior season at Miami. The University of Miami’s digital department raised $40,000 through a GoFundMe account to help with his mother’s medical expenses during that difficult time.

Personal Life

Burns has two sons, A.J. and Saint Cairo, with his longtime girlfriend Ella. He also has two younger brothers, Jordan and Thomas. His brother Thomas Burns committed to play football for the University of Miami on February 25, 2015, following in his older brother’s footsteps at the same program. Burns became engaged to Ella in 2017. In June 2017, Burns was arrested in Miami for driving while his license was suspended due to failure to pay traffic citations. Despite the challenges he has faced in his personal life, Burns has continued to pursue his professional football career across multiple NFL teams.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season marked a challenging year for Burns following his return to Miami with the Dolphins. After signing a one-year contract with his hometown team on March 17, 2025, Burns aimed to contribute to a Dolphins defense looking to improve upon previous seasons. His experience as a veteran cornerback in the league was expected to provide depth and leadership to the secondary.

Unfortunately, Burns’s 2025 campaign was cut short before it could truly begin. On the first day of training camp, he suffered a torn ACL, a devastating injury that ended his season before the regular season commenced. The Dolphins placed him on injured reserve on July 24, 2025, forcing him to watch from the sidelines as his new team began its season without him. This injury marked the second significant ACL tear of his career, with the first occurring during his tenure with the Chicago Bears in 2020.

The 2025 season presents Burns with a lengthy rehabilitation process ahead as he works to recover from his ACL injury. While his immediate playing future remains uncertain due to the injury, Burns’s resilience throughout his career, including his recovery from the 2020 ACL tear, suggests he will approach this setback with determination. The 2026 season outlook for Burns will depend heavily on his recovery progress and his ability to demonstrate that he can still contribute at the NFL level following multiple significant injuries throughout his career.