Oren Burks Bio
Oren Spencer Burks is an American professional football linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). Born on March 21, 1995, in Lorton, Virginia, he played college football for the Vanderbilt Commodores and entered the NFL when the Green Bay Packers selected him in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Across his career he has also spent time with the San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles, and he is a Super Bowl champion after helping the Eagles win Super Bowl LIX. Standing roughly 6 feet 3 inches tall and listed around 233 pounds, Burks is known for his work on both defense and special teams.
Early Life and Background
Oren Spencer Burks was born on March 21, 1995, in Lorton, Virginia, a community in Fairfax County in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. He grew up in the region and attended South County High School, where he developed into a multi-sport athlete and drew attention from college football recruiters. Coming out of high school he was rated as a three-star prospect, a mark that reflected steady production rather than national headlines.
Despite that ranking, Burks attracted interest from several Atlantic Coast Conference and Southeastern Conference programs. He ultimately chose Vanderbilt University, turning down scholarship offers from Duke, Maryland, Boston College, and several other schools. The decision to head to Nashville, Tennessee, allowed him to compete in the SEC while pursuing a degree at one of the conference’s most academically rigorous institutions.
Path to American Football
At South County High School, Burks played multiple positions on defense, gaining the versatility that later helped him transition to the linebacker ranks. He committed to Vanderbilt as part of a class that the program hoped would help rebuild its defensive identity. Playing in the SEC, the most competitive conference in college football, gave him an early education in high-level competition.
Burks spent his early college years adjusting to the speed and complexity of the league, then broke through during his second season in a memorable game against Kentucky. In that contest he intercepted two passes and returned one for a touchdown, a performance that earned him the Southeastern Conference defensive player of the week award. Following his senior season he was invited to the 2018 Senior Bowl as an alternate, capping his development as a draft-caliber prospect.
Oren Burks Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
The Green Bay Packers selected Burks in the third round, 88th overall, of the 2018 NFL Draft, trading fourth- and fifth-round picks to the Carolina Panthers to move up and pick him. He was the 12th linebacker taken in that draft. The Packers signed him to a four-year, $3.43 million contract that included a signing bonus of $820,756, and he entered training camp competing for a starting inside linebacker role.
A shoulder injury during pre-game warmups of the preseason kept him out of the first two regular-season games, but he returned to make his professional debut on September 23, 2018, against the Washington Redskins. As a rookie he appeared in 14 games with four starts, recording 24 total tackles, 18 of them solo. In 2019 he appeared in 12 games, splitting his time between defense and special teams as he continued to refine his role within the Green Bay defense.
San Francisco 49ers (2022–2023)
On March 17, 2022, Burks signed a two-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers, looking for a larger role on defense. The move paid off in his first season, when he appeared in 17 games and made three starts, finishing with a half-sack, 38 total tackles, and a pass defended. His versatility made him a useful piece in the 49ers’ linebacker rotation.
In 2023, Burks appeared in 15 games and made three more starts, posting one sack, 46 total tackles, one interception, and a pass defended. That postseason he started at linebacker for the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, a 25–22 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Though the team came up short, his performance helped cement his value as a steady veteran defender.
Philadelphia Eagles Era (2024–2025)
On March 19, 2024, Burks signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, joining a defense known for its physical front seven. His role expanded late in the regular season when he made his first start as an Eagle in Week 17 against the Dallas Cowboys, replacing Nakobe Dean and recording a forced fumble in a 41–7 win. The performance signaled the trust the coaching staff had in his preparation and toughness.
Burks carried that momentum into the postseason. During the Wild Card Playoff against the Green Bay Packers, he forced a fumble on the opening kickoff and stepped into a larger defensive role after Dean suffered a torn patellar tendon. In the NFC Championship Game he forced a fumble against Austin Ekeler, helping Philadelphia defeat the Washington Commanders 55–23 and advance to the Super Bowl. In Super Bowl LIX, Burks recorded five tackles as the Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22, securing the second Super Bowl title in franchise history.
Driving Style and Strengths
Burks is widely viewed as a reliable, assignment-sound linebacker whose strengths show up against the run and on special teams. His background as a multi-position defender in high school and at Vanderbilt has allowed him to line up at multiple spots in the box, and he has built a reputation for clean tackling and disciplined gap control. Coaches have leaned on his football intelligence to communicate adjustments in nickel and dime packages.
Notable Events and Milestones
Burks’ most defining stretch came during the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles postseason run, when he forced fumbles in three consecutive playoff contests and started in a Super Bowl victory. The Super Bowl LIX ring, a forced-fumble trifecta, and a starting role in the biggest game of the year form the headline moments of his résumé to this point.
Oren Burks Career Wins
Burks has compiled a steady, team-first résumé highlighted by championship hardware and consistent availability. He has appeared in more than 90 regular-season games across his career, contributing on defense and special teams for three franchises. His biggest individual win remains the Eagles’ victory in Super Bowl LIX, where his five tackles helped seal a 40–22 decision over the Kansas City Chiefs.
NFL Regular Season and Postseason Highlights
Across his regular-season stints with the Packers, 49ers, and Eagles, Burks has been a durable contributor, playing 14 games as a rookie and reaching 16 or 17 appearances in multiple seasons. In 2021 he played all 17 games with three starts, and in 2022 he again played 17 with three starts for San Francisco. In 2023 he added his first career interception along with a sack while starting three games.
Other Wins and Performances
Burks has posted a number of notable single-game efforts, including his two-interception, touchdown-return performance against Kentucky in college and his forced fumble against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17 of 2024. His Super Bowl LVIII start with the 49ers and his Super Bowl LIX win with the Eagles bracket a stretch in which he has performed on the league’s biggest stages.
Oren Burks Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Burks grew up in Lorton, Virginia, and is identified by his full name, Oren Spencer Burks. Publicly available details about his parents and broader family have not been confirmed, so further information is omitted. He has built his professional life around football, relocating for each new contract and establishing himself in the communities of his teams.
2025 Season Performance
On March 17, 2025, Burks signed a two-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, beginning a new chapter after his Super Bowl triumph with Philadelphia. The contract runs through the 2026 season, giving him long-term stability as he joins an AFC North defense looking to add veteran linebacker depth. His reputation as a tough, dependable presence on special teams figures to be a key part of his role in Cincinnati.
For 2025, Burks is expected to compete for a starting role while serving as a core piece of the Bengals’ linebacker rotation and core special teams units. Coming off a postseason in which he produced forced fumbles in three straight games and won a Super Bowl, he brings championship experience to a Bengals team with postseason aspirations. How quickly he adapts to Cincinnati’s defensive scheme and how his snap count evolves through the season will shape his 2025 story.