Getty Brian Burns of the New York Giants.
The New York Giants didn’t need 2024 NFL free agency to make a splash move, not after general manager Joe Schoen traded two draft picks to the Carolina Panthers for star edge rusher Brian Burns on Monday, March 11. The deal involved a second-round pick and a fifth-rounder after Burns agreed to a “5-year deal worth $150M max with $87.5M guaranteed,” per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.
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Trade! The #Panthers are trading star Brian Burns — at last! — to the #Giants, per me and @MikeGarafolo.
Burns lands a 5-year deal worth $150M max with $87.5M guaranteed, done by Todd France of @AthletesFirst.
Carolina sends Burns to NYG for a 2nd and 5th rounders.…
Those picks were confirmed by Jordan Raanan of ESPN as the 39th overall this year and a fifth-round choice in 2025. Raanan also revealed there was another fifth-round pick swap between the two teams.
Things moved quickly once SNY’s Connor Hughes revealed Schoen and the Giants had zeroed in on Burns after missing out on outside linebacker Bryce Huff.
“This deal is dependent on the Giants and Burns finding a way to agree to a potential long-term deal”
@Connor_J_Hughes with the latest on the Giants working on a trade to acquire Brian Burns from the Panthers: t.co/CS3sFKOTy4
Former New York Jets pass rusher Huff instead agreed to a three-year, $51.1 million deal with the Giants’ NFC East rivals the Philadelphia Eagles, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Burns is “not exactly the worst consolation prize,” Hughes wrote. That’s true of a versatile defensive end who’s logged 20.5 sacks in the last two seasons.
Brian Burns Trade a Coup for Giants
Burns already seems eager to suit up for the Giants. He posted a scene from the “Rush Hour” movie franchise on X to express his excitement about moving to New York.
The Giants should be equally excited about Burns’ impending arrival — especially new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, who’s now got a prolific quarterback hunter to pair with productive edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Burns has made putting heat on the pass pocket a habit since 2021, according to PFF NY Giants.
Brian Burns since 2021:
28 sacks
157 QB pressures
33 QB hits
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Those numbers are as impressive as Burns’ versatility. He’s flexible enough to attack as a standup rusher or from a three-point stance.
That range is perfect for the kind of hybrid multiple-front defense the Giants run. The fronts will remain varied, but Bowen won’t rely on the blitz as much as predecessor Don “Wink” Martindale.
A shift in philosophy means Bowen’s units will lean on a four-man rush. Fortunately, acquiring Burns should only make Thibodeaux better after the latter made a major leap getting to the passer during his second season.
Kayvon Thibodeaux by season:
2022: 39 QB pressures, 4 sacks
2023: 43 QB pressures, 13 sacks
A Thibodeaux and Burns double act should transform the Giants’ defense. Their efforts might even be enough to justify Schoen’s decision not to pay a premium at other positions.
Joe Schoen Made Tough Decision Before Brian Burns Trade
Investing so much in Burns came at the expense of re-signing running back Saquon Barkley and strong safety Xavier McKinney. Neither got long-term contracts, nor the franchise tag.
Barkley’s agreed to join the Eagles, leaving many, including Thibodeaux, surprised and disappointed. Meanwhile, McKinney cashed in by agreeing to a contract with the Green Bay Packers worth $68 million.
Schoen and the Giants wouldn’t pay Barkley nor McKinney based on a judgment about the value of their respective positions. As Hughes pointed out, the Burns deal represents “the contract and the player and the position that they are willing to invest those resources in.”
These are the types of players Joe Schoen wants the #Giants to invest significant resources in.
Not safeties and running backs — guys who truly impact the game.
So he traded assets for Brian Burns, then compensated him handsomely
Burns is “the type of player that Schoen believes truly impacts games.”
That’s a reasonable belief given how pass-happy offenses have become in the modern NFL. The emphasis on throwing the ball has made edge rushers and blindside pass-protectors the most sought-after commodities after a quality quarterback.
The Giants still lack one of those, and Schoen must turn his attention to fixing the problem. At least he’ll have less to worry about defensively after acquiring one of the game’s blue-chip pass rushers.