Miami Dolphins bolster secondary with signing of Artie Burns for 2025

The Miami Dolphins have secured a former first-round pick to strengthen their secondary for the upcoming 2025 season. According to ESPN, the Dolphins have reached a one-year agreement with veteran cornerback Artie Burns, who was previously selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Burns, now 29 years old, spent the past three seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. Over that period, he played in 21 games, including 14 in the 2023 season, though his final year in Seattle was marred by a toe injury that impacted his availability. Despite this setback, Burns’ experience and skill set make him a valuable addition to Miami’s defense.

A native of Miami, Burns’ football career began locally at the University of Miami, where he stood out as a top defender. He declared for the NFL Draft after his junior season, during which he led the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) with six interceptions. His impressive college career led to his selection as the 25th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Burns immediately made an impact in his rookie season, recording a career-high three interceptions. He was also instrumental in the Steelers' playoff run, recovering a crucial fumble during an 18-16 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Round. That victory remains the Steelers’ most recent playoff win.

Burns developed into a regular contributor for Pittsburgh, though he was never a full-time starter. In 2019, the Steelers opted not to pick up his fifth-year option, leading him to sign with the Chicago Bears in the offseason. Unfortunately, Burns’ tenure in Chicago was disrupted when he suffered a torn ACL in August 2020, causing him to miss the entire season. He bounced back in 2021, playing one season with the Bears before joining the Seahawks in 2022. 

Throughout his nine-year NFL career, Burns has played in 90 regular-season games, starting 39 of them. He has accumulated four interceptions, 38 pass breakups, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and 199 tackles, eight of which were for loss. His versatility and experience in both starting and rotational roles make him a solid depth addition to Miami’s defensive backfield.

Burns’ signing adds depth to a Dolphins defense that had a strong showing in the 2023 season, finishing ninth in the NFL in fewest passing yards allowed and sixth in fewest touchdown passes allowed. However, the Dolphins’ defense struggled with turnovers, ranking 22nd in interceptions recorded. Burns’ addition to the squad aims to help address this issue, as he brings a proven ability to break up passes and create turnovers. 

While Miami did lose safety Jevon Holland to the New York Giants in free agency, the team has been active in bolstering its secondary by signing several other defensive backs, including Burns, Ifeatu Melifonwu, and Ashtyn Davis. The Dolphins are hoping these moves will improve their pass defense, providing a stronger, more dynamic secondary in the upcoming season. Burns’ experience and skills could play a key role in helping the Dolphins improve in areas where they have been lacking, particularly in generating turnovers and creating more opportunities for their defense to make game-changing plays.