Brian Burns just delivered one of the most dominant edge-rushing seasons in the NFL — 16.5 sacks, constant backfield disruption, and week-to-week impact — and still walked away without First-Team All-Pro recognition.
Burns was named a Second-Team All-Pro instead, along with the Lions’ Aidan Hutchinson and Texans’ Danielle Hunter, after finishing with 16.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. It was the first AP All-Pro selection for Burns, who was also named to his third Pro Bowl
The three First-Team edge rusher spots went to the Browns’ Myles Garrett, who set the NFL sack record with 23, the Texans’ Will Anderson, and the Packers’ Micah Parsons.
The Numbers Say First Team — The Voting Didn’t
Burns didn’t pad stats in garbage time or feast on weak competition. He was a game wrecker, finishing among the league leaders in sacks, quarterback hits, and tackles for loss while drawing extra attention protection-wise every week.
Sixteen and a half sacks isn’t “very good” — it’s elite. It’s the type of number that historically puts players squarely in First-Team All-Pro territory. Burns beat out several First-Team selections in pure production, yet still found himself bumped down.
The message was clear: sacks matter… until they don’t. Once reputation, market size, and team record enter the equation, even dominant seasons can be brushed aside. Burns did everything voters say they want — he just didn’t do it on a winning team.
Burns didn’t flirt with greatness — he lived there all season. Sixteen and a half sacks are elite by any era, any standard, and any defensive scheme. That total alone should have cemented his place on the First-Team All-Pro list.
Instead, production took a back seat to perception. Burns beat multiple First-Team selections in sacks and still got pushed aside, reinforcing the uncomfortable truth: dominance isn’t always enough if the narrative doesn’t cooperate.
Team Record Cost Burns What Performance Earned
The Giants’ struggles didn’t diminish Burns’ impact, but they absolutely shaped perception. All-Pro voting often masquerades as an individual honor, but it routinely penalizes stars stuck on rebuilding rosters.
Burns wasn’t surrounded by an elite defensive cast. He didn’t benefit from consistent leads, favorable game scripts, or offenses forcing opponents into obvious passing downs. He still produced at a top-tier level.
Despite finishing fourth among edge rushers in voting and just eleven behind Parsons, who finished with 12.5 sacks in 14 games, Burns was completely left off 13 of 50 ballots. When team performance is not strong, individual player efforts tend to get overlooked.
That context makes the snub worse, not better. Although Will Anderson and Micah Parsons had strong seasons, they did not have the production that Brian Burns did, nor did they bring down the quarterback as many times as he did.
Edge rushers on playoff contenders were rewarded for playing in cleaner environments. Burns had to fight through chaos, extra blocking, and constant offensive focus — and still posted numbers that demand top billing.
All-Pro voting may claim to be individual, but team context still drives outcomes. Playing on a struggling Giants roster cost Burns the spotlight, even though his impact never wavered.
Burns faced constant double teams, unfavorable game scripts, and minimal help — and still delivered elite results. That should’ve strengthened his case, not weakened it. Instead, it highlights how much work the All-Pro voting system still needs.
16.5 Sacks, No Respect: Brian Burns’ All-Pro Snub Is Inexcusable