In a shocking midseason move, the New York Giants acquired star pass rusher Brian Burns from the Carolina Panthers, completely transforming their defense. The blockbuster deal, which sent shockwaves through the NFL, began with a lighthearted exchange between general managers at the Senior Bowl months earlier. Little did they know, their banter would plant the seed for one of the biggest trades of the year.
From Senior Bowl Joke to Serious Negotiations
Back in February, Giants GM Joe Schoen stood on the Senior Bowl practice field, casually chatting with Panthers GM Dan Morgan and Bills GM Brandon Beane, his former colleagues from Buffalo. Amidst the friendly ribbing about trading up in the draft, the topic of acquiring Brian Burns came up:
“You wanna give us two [first-round picks] for [linebacker Brian Burns]?” Morgan asked. “Ooooooooooooo!” Schoen replied, intrigued by the possibility. “Or a [first-round pick] and something?” Morgan continued. “You’re heading in the right direction,” Schoen concluded with a smile.
What started as playful banter between friends would soon evolve into a franchise-altering move for both teams involved. As the offseason unfolded, Schoen kept a close eye on Burns’ situation in Carolina.
The Franchise Tag Sets the Stage
After recording eight sacks and a top-10 pass rush win rate in 2023, Burns was set to become a coveted free agent. The Panthers ultimately placed the franchise tag on him, opening the door for potential trade partners to make their move. Schoen saw an opportunity to significantly upgrade the Giants’ pass rush, identifying Burns as a superior option to anyone available in the upcoming draft.
Intense Negotiations Unfold
As free agency approached, Schoen and Morgan engaged in serious trade discussions. Initially far apart in terms of compensation, both sides eventually made concessions. The Giants GM agreed to part with the 39th overall pick, while Morgan pushed for an additional seventh-round selection in the final moments of negotiations.
With other teams pursuing top free agent pass rushers like Christian Wilkins, Schoen felt the pressure to finalize the Burns deal. He worked tirelessly with Burns’ agent and Giants’ VP of Football Operations Kevin Abrams to hammer out a new contract, often burning the midnight oil. The stress mounted as potential backup plans came off the board, but in the end, the Giants secured their man.
The Final Deal and Impact on Both Teams
New York sent the 39th pick in this year’s draft, a 2024 fifth-round pick, and swapped 2023 fifth-round picks with Carolina to acquire Burns. The edge rusher then inked a mammoth five-year, $141 million extension with $87.5 million guaranteed, making him the second-highest paid player at his position.
For the Giants, Burns provides the elite pass rushing presence they’ve sorely lacked. Alongside All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, he gives New York a formidable defensive identity. Burns has already recorded five sacks and a top-10 pass rush win rate this season, playing through injuries with remarkable grit.
On the other side of the deal, the Panthers gained valuable draft capital to aid their rebuilding efforts, particularly to build around young quarterback Bryce Young. While it stung to part with a homegrown star like Burns, Carolina recognized the move as necessary for their long-term success.
“I don’t think it was really any bad blood or they thought I was a bad player or anything like that,” Burns explained regarding the trade. “I felt like I was going to be there forever, but things change.”
As Burns prepares to face his former team this weekend in Germany, the ripple effects of the trade that began with an innocent joke at the Senior Bowl continue to reshape both franchises. For the Giants, acquiring a game-changing talent like Burns may prove to be the move that finally restores their once-feared defense to glory.
