NFL Rumors: Brian Burns Traded to Giants from Panthers; Lands 5-Year, $150M Contract

The Carolina Panthers are reportedly shipping away one of their best defensive players.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Panthers have traded star defensive end Brian Burns to the New York Giants. He will now sign a five-year contract with the Giants worth $150 million, including $87.5 million guaranteed.

Carolina will receive a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick.

The Panthers placed the nonexclusive tag on Burns prior to the deadline, guaranteeing him $24 million for the 2024 season. The two sides had until mid-July to negotiate a long-term contract, but Carolina ultimately decided its best course was to trade him.

The 16th pick in the 2019 NFL draft, Burns quickly emerged as one of the top pass-rushers in the league. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2021 and 2022, posting a career-high 12.5 sacks in the latter.

ESPN’s David Newton noted that the Panthers had tried to sign Burns to an extension before talks broke down in September. Burns reportedly was seeking a contract with an average value of $30 million per year.

However, the 25-year-old saw a dip in production this past season, finishing with 50 total tackles and eight sacks. Still, Burns made it clear that he wanted to be paid among the top edge-rushers.

“Given our circumstances, it is what it is,” Burns said after the 2023 season. “But my feeling never changed from that point to now, because I put the work in four years prior to this.”

After departing a Carolina team that finished with the worst record in the league at 2-15 last season, Burns should be excited to make his mark with the Giants. He will be a solid addition to a defensive front that includes Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence II.