The New York Giants have acquired star edge rusher Brian Burns in a blockbuster trade with the Carolina Panthers, according to Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.
The Giants are sending two draft picks—a second-rounder and a fifth—to the Panthers in exchange for Burns. New York has also agreed to a five-year, $150 million deal with Burns. The contract features $87.5 million in guaranteed money.
Big Blue was in desperate need of another pass rusher to put alongside of Kayvon Thibodeaux, and now, they have landed one of the best ones on the market.
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 in what was somewhat of a down year for him.
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 appeared in every contest during his rookie season and was impressive, registering 25 tackles, 7.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a defensive touchdown.
Burns showed considerable progression during his sophomore campaign, recording 58 tackles, nine sacks, three forced fumbles and four passes defended. He posted similar numbers the following season, rattling off 50 tackles, nine sacks and a couple of forced fumbles en route to a Pro Bowl appearance.
Then, in 2022, the Fort Lauderdale, Fl. native enjoyed the best year of his career to date, racking up 63 tackles, 12.5 sacks and a forced fumble, making his second straight trip to the Pro Bowl.
Carolina was unable to reach a long-term deal with Burns over the last year and passed on trading him at the October deadline, even when it was reportedly offered a pair of first-round picks by the Los Angeles Rams.
The Panthers obviously wish they made that move.
But the Giants are reaping the benefits of Carolina’s mistake, as their pass rush should look a whole lot better in 2024 with Brian Burns on board.
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