The Kansas City Chiefs finally ended their holdout with defensive lineman Chris Jones, handing him a new contract ahead of Week 2. Jones returned and made a clear impact in the club’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

But what was clear in Jones’ absence was that the Chiefs are fairly bereft of elite talent along their defensive front outside of Jones.

As a result, Kansas City could be in the market for another pass rusher between now and the Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline, and a big name may be available.

Brian Burns.

The Carolina Panthers edge rusher was unable to come to terms on a new deal with the Panthers going into the season, meaning he will be a free agent in the spring. Burns is reportedly seeking in the neighborhood of $26-28 million annually, a price that Carolina was evidently unwilling to pay.

Vincent Frank of SportsNaut suggests that the Chiefs could be a potential landing spot for Burns should the Panthers look to move him over the next five weeks.

Kansas City could offer Carolina a robust package that includes a 2024 first-round draft pick plus a second-rounder. This would be a heck of a return for the rebuilding Panthers, who, barring a change of heart, are probably not going to re-sign Burns in the offseason anyway.

Burns could slide right into the Chiefs’ front seven and wreak havoc in opposing backfields along with Jones.

The 25-year-old has already been very productive this season, logging nine tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble through the first two games.

Brian Burns, who played his collegiate football at Florida State, was selected by the Panthers with the 16th overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft.

The Fort Lauderdale, Fl. native is coming off of back-to-back Pro Bowl appearances, most recently racking up 63 tackles and 12.5 sacks last season.