Michael Burton Bio
Michael Burton is an American professional football fullback in the National Football League (NFL). Born on February 1, 1992, in Long Valley, New Jersey, he is recognized for his work as a lead blocker, short-yardage runner, and special teams contributor. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft after playing college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
Across more than a decade in the league, Burton has built a journeyman career with stops in Detroit, Chicago, New Orleans, Washington, Kansas City, Denver, and Cleveland. He won Super Bowl LVII as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. Standing 6 feet tall and listed around 247 pounds, he has remained a dependable fullback known for toughness and team-first play.
Early Life and Background
Michael Burton was raised in Long Valley, a community in Morris County, New Jersey. He grew up in a region with a strong youth football tradition and developed his early love for the sport through local programs. His physical build and willingness to do the unglamorous work on the field became defining traits during his formative years.
He attended West Morris Central High School in Washington Township, New Jersey, where he played high school football and earned attention as a hard-nosed runner and blocker. His high school performance helped him attract interest from college programs and laid the groundwork for his next step in the sport.
Path to American Football
Coming out of West Morris Central, Burton received a scholarship offer from Rutgers, where he would play under head coach Greg Schiano and later Kyle Flood. He committed to the Scarlet Knights and enrolled in 2011, beginning a four-year college career at the FBS level within the Big East and later the American Athletic Conference and Big Ten.
At Rutgers, Burton worked primarily as a fullback and H-back, taking on a role that required lead blocking, pass protection, and short-yardage carries. His willingness to handle physical duties helped him stand out to NFL scouts looking for traditional fullbacks. By the end of his senior season, he had cemented his reputation as a dependable, between-the-tackles player with the versatility to contribute on special teams.
Michael Burton Career
Early Career (2011–2014)
During his time at Rutgers from 2011 to 2014, Burton appeared in multiple seasons as a versatile back. In 2011, he recorded 10 carries for 44 rushing yards along with 10 receptions for 68 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown. In 2012, he played in four games and caught three passes for 34 yards.
Burton’s role expanded in 2013, when he posted 19 receptions for 149 yards and two receiving touchdowns. In his final college season in 2014, he added 15 receptions for 150 yards, showing steady development as a pass-catching fullback. His combination of blocking, receiving, and special teams value led to an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine and ultimately a fifth-round selection.
Detroit Lions (2015–2016)
The Detroit Lions selected Michael Burton in the fifth round, 168th overall, of the 2015 NFL Draft. On May 12, 2015, the Lions signed him to a four-year contract. He entered training camp competing with Emil Igwenagu and won the starting fullback job to open the regular season.
Burton made his professional debut in the Lions’ season opener against the San Diego Chargers. He recorded his first career carry in the following game against the Minnesota Vikings and caught his first career pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford against the Seattle Seahawks. On December 21, 2015, he caught his first career touchdown in a 35–27 win over the New Orleans Saints. He finished his rookie season appearing in all 16 games with seven starts, registering four carries for two rushing yards and six receptions for 39 receiving yards and one touchdown. In 2016, Burton played in 15 games but did not record any offensive statistics. He was waived by the Lions on May 30, 2017.
Chicago Bears (2017–2018)
Burton was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Bears on May 31, 2017, quickly finding a new home in the NFC North. In his Bears debut on September 10, 2017, he rushed once for seven yards against the Atlanta Falcons. He appeared in all 16 games that season, starting three, and served as a primary lead blocker for the Chicago run game.
In 2018, Burton played in eight games with one start, operating mostly as a blocking back and contributing on special teams. His physical style and reliability helped him maintain a roster spot, even as offenses around the league continued to de-emphasize the traditional fullback position.
New Orleans Saints and Washington Redskins (2019)
Burton signed with the New Orleans Saints on May 13, 2019, but was released on August 31, 2019, during final roster cuts. He did not stay out of work long, signing with the Washington Redskins on October 15, 2019, midway through the season.
With Washington, Burton appeared in 10 games and made two starts during the 2019 campaign, contributing as a blocker and special teamer. The short stay nevertheless gave him exposure to two different locker rooms within the same calendar year and reaffirmed his value as a versatile reserve.
New Orleans Saints Second Stint (2020)
On March 23, 2020, Burton returned to the New Orleans Saints, signing a one-year contract. The 2020 season, played under unique circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic, saw him appear in 15 games with four starts. He provided lead blocking for the Saints’ running game and contributed heavily on special teams.
Burton was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list in early January 2021 before being activated a few days later. His steady presence in New Orleans earned him another opportunity elsewhere once his contract concluded.
Kansas City Chiefs (2021–2022)
Burton signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on April 5, 2021, joining one of the league’s top contenders. During the 2021 season, he appeared in all 16 regular season games and three postseason contests, helping the Chiefs reach the AFC Championship Game. In a Week 15 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, he scored his first career rushing touchdown on a seven-yard run.
On March 21, 2022, Burton re-signed with the Chiefs on a one-year deal. He played in all 17 regular season games and three postseason games that year. The Chiefs capped the 2022 campaign by defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 38–35 in Super Bowl LVII, giving Burton his first Super Bowl ring.
Denver Broncos (2023–2025)
On March 17, 2023, the Denver Broncos signed Burton to a one-year contract. He appeared in all 17 games as a fullback and special teamer, providing veteran leadership in the locker room. On March 13, 2024, he signed a one-year extension, was released on August 27, and was re-signed to the practice squad the next day before returning to the active roster on September 11.
In 2024, Burton finished with 7 rushing attempts for 8 yards and a touchdown, 10 receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown, and 6 special teams tackles. On March 26, 2025, he agreed to another one-year extension, but on August 26 he was placed on season-ending injured reserve after suffering a hamstring injury prior to the preseason.
Cleveland Browns (2026–Present)
On April 27, 2026, Burton signed a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns, beginning a new chapter in his long NFL journey. He joined the Browns wearing No. 34 and was listed as an active fullback on the roster. The move reunited him with an AFC club looking to add experienced depth to its backfield and special teams units.
Driving Style and Strengths
Burton has built his career on physicality, dependability, and football intelligence. He excels as a lead blocker in the run game, shows sound technique in pass protection, and is capable of handling short-yardage and goal-line carries. His special teams consistency and willingness to embrace a team-first role have helped him remain employable across multiple organizations.
Notable Events and Milestones
The defining milestone of Burton’s career came when he won Super Bowl LVII with the Kansas City Chiefs following the 2022 season. He also reached the AFC Championship Game during the 2021 postseason and has appeared in well over 100 regular season games across his career. His first career rushing touchdown against the Chargers in 2021 and his first career receiving touchdown against the Saints in 2015 stand among his most memorable on-field moments.
Michael Burton Career Wins
Michael Burton’s career win log is defined less by gaudy statistics than by longevity, reliability, and team success. Over more than a decade, he has contributed to playoff runs with multiple franchises and reached the pinnacle of the sport with a Super Bowl championship. His value has consistently shown up in blocking grades, special teams production, and locker room leadership.
NFL Highlights
Burton’s signature highlight remains the Kansas City Chiefs’ victory in Super Bowl LVII, where he served as a fullback and special teamer on a championship roster. He also helped the Chiefs reach the AFC Championship Game the prior season and contributed to winning efforts with the Lions, Bears, Saints, Redskins, and Broncos throughout his career.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Burton was a contributor on multiple bowl-eligible Rutgers squads and developed into a trusted all-purpose back. At the high school level at West Morris Central, he established himself as one of the program’s notable football alumni before transitioning to the next level.
Michael Burton Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Burton grew up in Long Valley, New Jersey, within Morris County’s tight-knit football community. His early development was shaped by local youth programs and the supportive environment of West Morris Central High School, where his physical style of play first gained notice.
Personal Life
Michael Burton is a Christian. He is married to Kirsten Burton, and together the couple has two daughters and a son. Throughout his journeyman NFL career, his family has remained a central part of his support system as he has moved between teams and cities.
2025 Season Performance
Burton and the Denver Broncos agreed to a one-year contract extension on March 26, 2025, signaling the organization’s continued belief in his value as a fullback and special teamer. The agreement came after a productive 2024 campaign in which he recorded a rushing touchdown, a receiving touchdown, and several tackles on coverage units.
However, on August 26, 2025, Burton was placed on season-ending injured reserve after suffering a hamstring injury prior to the preseason. The injury prevented him from contributing on the field for the 2025 season and led to his eventual release from the Broncos. He finished the year focused on recovery and preparation for his next opportunity.
Looking ahead, Burton signed with the Cleveland Browns on April 27, 2026, positioning himself for a return to active duty. His experience and championship pedigree are expected to add veteran depth to Cleveland’s backfield and special teams units as he continues his long NFL journey.