Michael Burton Bio
Michael Burton is an American professional football fullback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). Born on February 1, 1992, in Long Valley, New Jersey, Burton has built a steady career as a blocking specialist and short-yardage back across multiple teams. He is best known for winning Super Bowl LVII as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Standing 180 centimeters tall and weighing around 112 kilograms, Burton fits the modern fullback mold as a physical lead blocker. Since entering the league in 2015, he has remained a reliable contributor on offense and special teams, valued for his toughness and willingness to do the unglamorous work that helps teammates succeed.
Early Life and Background
Michael Burton grew up in Long Valley, a small community within Washington Township in Morris County, New Jersey. He attended West Morris Central High School, where he played football and developed the physical style that would later define his professional career. His work in the local youth and high school ranks prepared him for the next stage of the sport.
Burton came from a supportive family environment in northern New Jersey, where football is a deeply rooted tradition. He learned the value of hard work and discipline early, traits that helped him stand out at the high school level and attract attention from college programs. His education at West Morris Central gave him the foundation to compete at a higher level.
Path to American Football
After finishing his high school career, Michael Burton committed to Rutgers University, where he played college football for the Scarlet Knights from 2011 to 2014. He appeared in games every season, contributing as a running back and a receiver out of the backfield. His most productive collegiate season came in 2013, when he recorded nineteen receptions for 149 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns, showcasing his versatility.
Burton steadily improved his blocking and pass protection during his time at Rutgers, which helped him transition into a fullback role. By his senior season in 2014, he had established himself as a reliable all-around back, finishing with fifteen receptions for 150 receiving yards. His college development drew the attention of NFL scouts evaluating depth at the fullback position.
Michael Burton Career
Early Career (2015-2016)
The Detroit Lions selected Michael Burton in the fifth round, 168th overall, of the 2015 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year rookie contract worth 2.46 million dollars, including a signing bonus of 184,356 dollars. Burton entered training camp competing with Emil Igwenagu for the starting fullback job and won the role heading into the regular season.
In his rookie season, Burton appeared in all sixteen games and started seven, recording four carries for two rushing yards and six receptions for 39 receiving yards with one touchdown. His first career score came on a four-yard pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford in a December 2015 win over the New Orleans Saints. In his second season with Detroit in 2016, he played fifteen games and contributed mainly on special teams, and the Lions waived him in May 2017.
Chicago Bears (2017-2018)
Michael Burton was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Bears on May 31, 2017, giving him a fresh start in the NFC North. He made his Bears debut on September 10, 2017, against the Atlanta Falcons at Soldier Field, registering one rush for seven yards. Across the 2017 season, Burton appeared in sixteen games with three starts, establishing himself as a dependable blocker.
During the 2018 season, Burton played in eight games with one start, working mostly as a blocking back. His role within the Bears offense was limited statistically, but his value as a lead blocker and special teams contributor kept him on the field. His stint in Chicago helped him refine his professional habits before his next career move.
New Orleans Saints and Washington Redskins (2019-2020)
Burton signed with the New Orleans Saints on May 13, 2019, but was released in late August before the regular season began. Shortly after, on October 15, 2019, he signed with the Washington Redskins and appeared in ten games with two starts that year. The 2019 season saw Burton bounce between rosters as he worked to prove his long-term value at the fullback position.
In 2020, Burton returned to the New Orleans Saints on a one-year contract and appeared in fifteen games with four starts. He was placed on the reserve COVID-19 list in early January 2021 before being activated later that week. His steady play during the 2020 campaign helped him earn another opportunity elsewhere.
Kansas City Chiefs (2021-2022)
Michael Burton signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on April 5, 2021, joining one of the most explosive offenses in the league. During a Week 15 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, he scored his first career rushing touchdown on a seven-yard run. That season, he appeared in sixteen regular-season games and three postseason contests for Kansas City.
Burton re-signed with the Chiefs on a one-year deal in March 2022 and played all seventeen regular-season games plus three more postseason contests. He reached the pinnacle of his career when the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 in Super Bowl LVII, earning a championship ring. His tenure in Kansas City cemented his reputation as a winning fullback.
Denver Broncos Era (2023-Present)
The Denver Broncos signed Michael Burton to a one-year contract on March 17, 2023. He appeared in all seventeen games that season, contributing as both a fullback and a special teamer. Burton signed a one-year contract extension with Denver on March 13, 2024, though he was later released and re-signed to the practice squad before being promoted back to the active roster in September.
In the 2024 season, Burton finished with seven rushing attempts for eight yards and a touchdown, along with ten receptions for 65 yards and another touchdown, and six tackles on special teams. On March 26, 2025, he agreed to another one-year extension with the Broncos, though he was later placed on season-ending injured reserve with a hamstring injury. He remains a respected veteran presence in Denver’s locker room.
Driving Style and Strengths
Burton is recognized for his physical run-blocking, dependable pass protection, and willingness to handle short-yardage and goal-line carries. He excels in lead-blocker duties on inside runs and provides veteran poise on special teams coverage units. Coaches value his football intelligence, toughness, and consistent preparation.
Notable Events and Milestones
The signature moment of Michael Burton’s career came when he won Super Bowl LVII with the Kansas City Chiefs after the 2022 season. He also earned his first career rushing touchdown while playing for the Chiefs and reached his first career receiving touchdown during his rookie season with the Lions. Burton has appeared in more than one hundred regular-season and postseason games over his NFL career.
Michael Burton Career Wins
Michael Burton has built a durable career across the NFL, contributing on offense, defense, and special teams as a fullback. While he is not a primary statistical producer, his resume includes meaningful championship success.
Kansas City Chiefs Highlights
Burton joined the Chiefs in 2021 and played two seasons in Kansas City, appearing in thirty-three regular-season games and six postseason contests. He scored his first career rushing touchdown in 2021 and helped the Chiefs reach and win Super Bowl LVII after the 2022 season. His two-year run produced his most consistent workload as a runner and receiver out of the backfield.
Other Wins and Performances
Burton’s stops with the Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, Washington Redskins, and Denver Broncos featured reliable special teams play and steady blocking duty. He appeared in sixteen games in his rookie season with Detroit and all seventeen regular-season games during the 2022 season with Kansas City. Across all stops, he has been valued more for intangibles than for headline statistics.
Michael Burton Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Michael Burton grew up in Long Valley, New Jersey, in a tight-knit family that supported his athletic development from a young age. He played high school football at West Morris Central, where his family’s encouragement helped him pursue the sport at higher levels.
Personal Life
Michael Burton is a Christian and is married to Kirsten Burton. Together, they have two daughters and a son. He continues to live a family-centered life while maintaining his professional football career in the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
Michael Burton and the Denver Broncos agreed to a one-year contract extension on March 26, 2025, signaling the franchise’s continued faith in his role as a veteran fullback and special teamer. He was expected to contribute on offense and on coverage units while mentoring younger players at the position. However, on August 26, 2025, Burton was placed on season-ending injured reserve after suffering a hamstring injury prior to the preseason, ending his 2025 campaign before it began.
Despite the early setback, Burton remains under contract with the Broncos and is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2025 season. The team is likely to evaluate his recovery closely as it plans its fullback depth chart and special teams roles for 2026. His experience and locker room presence continue to hold value for Denver’s roster planning.
Looking ahead, Burton will focus on rehabilitation and a potential return to the field in 2026 if he chooses to continue playing. His decade-long NFL journey, highlighted by a Super Bowl LVII title, provides a strong foundation for whatever comes next in his football career.