Brian Burns: A True Professional

The Carolina Panthers selected Brian Burns with the 16th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Since then, the Carolina Panthers have churned through 7 head coaches, 3 different defensive coordinators, and 3 different general managers. In this time period, the Carolina Panthers have yet to see a winning season, with the franchise plagued by instability, poor decision-making, and severely lackluster roster-building moves. On Brian Burns’ side, despite all of this? Not one excuse. Instead, Brian Burns exudes professionalism, leadership, and work ethic, representing the model of player which the Panthers organization should be looking to find more of, not get rid of. The Carolina Panthers organization needs to find a way–somehow and someway–to ensure that Brian Burns does not become the next iteration of a Panthers superstar to depart the franchise and see success elsewhere. We must keep him in Carolina.

There currently exists a precedent within the Carolina Panthers franchise and management: if you are a high-caliber player, you will not last long here. We have seen it throughout our history and most recently with the trade-aways of superstar running back Christian McCaffrey and superstar WR DJ Moore. These decisions, over time, indicate our inability to foster a consistent winning product on the field. This is a dangerous precedent to set, as it will foster fear amongst high-performing draft picks, could deter free agents, and will continuously deplete the fanbase who is holding on for any signs of hope and continuity. We have to change this trend, not only by finding a way to secure Mr. Burns, but by fielding a sustained winning product on the field. Let’s be clear, the two are not mutually exclusive. 

The Carolina Panthers ranked dead last in the NFL in sacks in 2023. Moving forward, it becomes clear to me that we should be in the market to help and support our best edge rusher, not get rid of him. Our second highest team sack count in the Brian Burns era came in 2021, when Mr. Burns had a running mate of Hasaan Reddick. Our highest team sack count in the Brian Burns era came in 2019, his rookie year, when we retained the likes of Kawann Short, Mario Addison, Bruce Irvin, Gerald McCoy, Dontari Poe, and others. Bottom line, one guy can not get it done on his own. 

If we take a look around the league, and more specifically at the teams that are competing for championships, we can conclude a few things. Firstly, they are well-run organizations from top to bottom, developing formulas for sustained success through the draft, trades, and free agency. Secondly, they don’t view one player’s contract as a sacrifice to the rest of the team, so to speak. If we take a look at the 49ers, they didn’t trade away or let Nick Bosa walk in free agency in order to surround Brock Purdy with weapons on offense. I understand, Brian Burns has not produced Nick Bosa numbers yet, but it’s fitting for the discussion. Also, the time clock for a team like the 49ers does run out, as we’re beginning to see with the likes of Brandon Aiyuk. But, they have found a way to put a few years together where they have supreme talent on both sides of the ball, and I have no doubt that they'll find a way to do it again. That’s what top-tier organizations do. 

One of the primary benefits to drafting and developing a rookie quarterback is to develop a talented squad throughout the rookie contract period. This roster development should happen on both sides of the ball, as a multitude of elite teams have demonstrated. Our previous management team has definitely handicapped the new regime in a few ways, including but not limited to poor trades, draft misses, and senseless contracts. While I acknowledge that I am not a salary cap wizard, nor am I a general manager, if we look around the league at star-studded teams, I will always wonder why we are unable to get one star solidified for the long term. In an ideal world, we get this one and a few others if we are serious about competing for championships.

Brian Burns had a down year, it’s what we are continuing to see everywhere. This is true, but so did the entire Carolina Panthers franchise. Once again, if Mr. Burns won’t make excuses for himself, then nor will I, but it’s worth mentioning that everything was a mess in 2023. Let’s break down the possible options for Brian Burns heading into 2024, and then I will share my opinions. The Carolina Panthers may apply an exclusive tag on Brian Burns, which will lock him in for 2024 and prohibit him from negotiating with other teams. Additionally, they may utilize the non-exclusive franchise tag, which would allow Brian Burns to negotiate with other teams. This non-exclusive tag gives the Panthers the ability to match any offer provided by another team or receive two-first round picks in return. Finally, the Panthers could negotiate a long term extension. Recently, it was rumored that the Carolina Panthers were willing to offer a five year deal worth an estimated 27 million annually, and Brian Burns was keen on 30 million annually. Let’s be clear, while this may be true, we are unable to confirm with certainty any insider source reporting on contract dealings.

As a Carolina Panthers fan, I always want what is best for the team, regardless of my fondness of individual players. However, I firmly believe that Brian Burns–as a person and as a player–is the best thing for our franchise moving forward, if we can find a way to negotiate and compromise on a deal. It is incredibly frustrating to see our fanbase talk negatively about a player who has kept his head-held-high through an immense amount of hardship since being drafted here in 2019. While I understand that there are cap limitations in existence, we need a foundation to build upon if we wish to change the trajectory of our team. Brian Burns has put the team first for five years, and I understand his current desire to secure his check. On the other hand, we will need to find a compromise, albeit a high-priced compromise, if we are to truly do what is right for the team. Brian Burns is deserving of a long-term, stable contract, the Carolina Panthers are deserving of a star to build around, and Panthers fans are deserving of some much-needed continuity in the locker room. Let’s find a way–both Brian Burns and the Carolina Panthers organization–to get a fair, long-term deal in place which recognizes Mr. Burns value while not sacrificing the ability of the team to acquire additional talent. 

Thank you for reading our article! We appreciate those of you who took the time to read it and consider our propositions. Only time will tell what the Carolina Panthers intend to do with superstar edge rusher, Brian Burns. We can only hope that we make the right decision, in whatever capacity that entails.