A Panthers Fan’s Guide to the Brian Burns Trade

In an all-too-familiar episode for Panthers fans, star edge rusher Brian Burns has been traded to the New York Giants in exchange for draft compensation. This means in the last year and a half, Carolina has traded away Christian McCaffrey, DJ Moore, and now Burns. All three players were former first round picks for the team, who looked like they would play instrumental roles in taking the Panthers to the top of the NFL. Now, in just 18 months, they’ve been dispersed across other NFC teams. So what does the most recent of these trades mean for Carolina, and did the front office handle this as well as they could have?

The Pessimistic Outlook

To many this will look like yet another terrible choice by the Panthers as they continue to sink their franchise. This isn’t entirely unfair, as there are some very questionable elements of the decision being made here. The glaringly obvious question here is why you would trade such an incredible talent. The two time Pro Bowler has been everything the Panthers hoped for and more since selecting him with the 16th overall pick in the 2019 draft. He’s been the face of the defense and shined at times when others failed to do so.

Many fans argue he should have been given a blank check, as franchise players deserve to be paid. Instead, he’s been sent to the Giants in exchange for the 39th pick in this year’s draft, as well as a 2025 fifth-rounder. This seems like decent compensation until you consider what the Rams offered for Burns during the 2022-23 season. Los Angeles was willing to send two first-round picks, as well as a second-round selection in order to acquire Burns. The Panthers promptly declined, viewing him as a cornerstone of their franchise. The belief has clearly changed in the time since, but so too has the league’s opinion on his value.

Instead of loading up on top picks, Carolina merely snags another top 40 selection. Additionally, Burns’ absence leaves a massive hole in the defense, which is only worsened by Frankie Luvu’s free agency departure. This signifies a clear rebuild to come on both sides of the football. Burns, the former Florida State Seminole, managed to rack up 46 sacks during his five years with the Panthers. Despite a less impressive season for both him and the team last year, he still recorded eight sacks and 50 tackles. Draft picks are obviously ideal for a rebuild, but the Panthers will have to scout well in order to find anyone who stacks up with Burns.

The Optimistic Outlook

As fans seeking hope are accustomed to doing, it’s important to assess the upside in each situation. The most prominent positive in this situation is the clear emphasis on a rebuild. This looked to be the direction the Panthers were headed in last offseason, but the front office decided to make a competitive push by signing a host of veterans in free agency. This turned out to be just a band-aid, as the team wound up stumbling to a 2-15 record. Now the new front office seems to have their sights set on an actual rebuild, and one done through the draft.

If used correctly, this second-round pick could be invaluable for Carolina. The 2024 draft class is loaded with receiver talent, as well as promising offensive linemen. The Panthers desperately need help at both positions, and now have the opportunity to grab one of each in the first 40 picks. They could also address other positions of need, or even flip the picks in a trade for one of the many young stars on the market.

As for Burns’ departure, it’s a decision that could end up benefiting all parties involved. The 25 year-old was looking for a massive payday, which may have been seen as a bad idea for a team looking for a fresh start. He immediately got exactly that with the Giants though, as he inked a 5-year, $150M deal, making him the second-highest paid edge rusher in the NFL. It’s a lucrative contract that the Panthers were unwilling to replicate, leading to the split. Instead, Carolina frees up $24M in cap space, allowing them to maneuver as they look to begin their roster overhaul. The Giants aren’t much better off than the Panthers as things stand, but their front office was willing to commit to a future that Carolina’s wasn’t.

Keep in mind, this isn’t the same front office that declined the Rams trade. These are fresh faces, making the most out of the cards they’ve been dealt. Surely they’d love to have had another similar offer come in, but that wasn’t a realistic possibility anymore. It’s commendable that the front office is taking action, even if it’s gut-wrenching in the moment. Despite the loss of Burns, the defense still boasts some impressive young talent, headlined by Derrick Brown. It hurts to lose a big part of the team’s identity, but this move could open the door to Carolina’s new identity.