The New York Giants acquired superstar edge rusher Brian Burns in a trade with the Carolina Panthers earlier this week, and Burns seems thrilled about the opportunity.
“I’m kind of overtaken with a lot of emotions,’’ Burns said, via Paul Schwartz of The New York Post. “Once I’m done processing, I’m super excited to be here. Right now I’m kind of all over the place. I’m a little giddy.’’
The Giants not only traded for Burns, but they also handed him a massive five-year, $141 million deal. But Burns feels that he will be worth the money New York is spending on him.
“They’re getting somebody that’s coming to work,’’ Burns said. “I’ll always be professional, I always be a pro, that’s No. 1. I’m relentless. They’re getting a playmaker and they’re just getting a guy that’s gonna really enjoy the process, take it day by day. I really take a lot of pride in getting better. I feel like I can learn from a lot of cats, especially on this team. I’m a team guy, always been a team guy, I’m a natural leader and just ready to get to work.’’
Burns is coming off of a 2023 campaign in which he played 16 games and registered 50 tackles, eight sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
The 25-year-old, who played his collegiate football at Florida State, was selected by the Panthers in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
He made back-to-back Pro Bowl appearances in 2021 and 2022, with his best season coming in the latter year when he racked up 63 tackles, 12.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
The Giants ranked toward the bottom of the league in sacks this past year, amassing a grand total of 34. Now, their pass rush looks a heck of a lot better with Brian Burns joining Kayvon Thibodeaux in the team’s front seven.
New York went just 6-11 in 2023 and has made only two playoff appearances since 2012, but it is certainly making progress toward elevating its status going into 2024.
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