The New York Giants wanted Brian Burns in the 2019 NFL draft, but he went one spot before they wound up picking future All-Pro Dexter Lawrence. No buyer’s remorse there over the past two years with general manager Joe Schoen rewarding one of predecessor Dave Gettleman’s best draft picks with a lucrative long-term extension last May.
Now Schoen is bringing Burns to the Big Apple five years later.
The Giants have completed a deal with the Carolina Panthers for the star pass rusher, who received the franchise tag last week, two individuals familiar with the situation told NorthJersey.com on Monday. The individuals spoke on the condition of anonymity since the deal has not been officially announced.
Burns and Carolina were no longer engaged in long-term contract talks, and Schoen is very close with new Panthers general manager Dan Morgan from their days together in Buffalo, so they made a call.
The Giants are trading second- and fifth-round picks.
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Burns was reportedly seeking an extension that will pay him close to $30 million per year, and that’s exactly what the Giants will pay him in a five-year deal worth $150 million with $87.5 million guaranteed, an individual with knowledge confirmed.
Burns, the former Florida State star who turns 26 next month, has developed into a complete player off the edge in Carolina despite a ton of attention from the opposition.
There were reports during the 2022 NFL draft that the Rams were prepared to give Carolina a first-round pick in 2024, a first-round pick in 2025 and a second-round pick in 2025 in a package for Burns. But the Panthers turned that deal down, saying Burns was a part of their future.
If the Giants can acquire Brian Burns and pair him with Kayvon Thibodeaux, that fits what Schoen said at the Combine about Shane Bowen’s defensive system putting more of an emphasis on creating pressure with the front.
Burns, Thibodeaux and Lawrence up front with Bobby Okereke in the middle and cornerback Tae Banks on the back end give the Giants very strong foundational pieces on that side of the ball. Okereke would be the oldest, turning 28 in July. The rest: Lawrence is 26, and Thibodeaux and Banks are 23.