Panthers’ Missteps in Brian Burns Trade Saga
Before the 2022 NFL trade deadline, the Carolina Panthers made a pivotal decision by rejecting a substantial trade offer from the Los Angeles Rams for star edge-rusher Brian Burns. This move, or lack thereof, has had lasting repercussions for the team.
The Rams, entering a retooling phase following their Super Bowl LVI win, offered two first-round picks and a third-round pick for Burns. However, the Panthers declined this generous proposal. Instead, they later traded Burns to the New York Giants for a second-round pick and a fifth-round swap, a considerably less favorable deal.
The rejection of the Rams’ offer in October 2022 soured the relationship between Burns and the Panthers. Prolonged contract extension talks finally began in 2023, but the fallout from the failed trade lingered. The Panthers’ initial plans to extend Burns’ contract during the 2022 offseason stalled, picking up momentum only by June 2023.
Compounding their problems, then-GM Scott Fitterer, after gaining more power post-Matt Rhule’s firing, not only turned down the Rams’ offer but also kept Burns out of the trade discussions with the Bears that eventually led to Carolina acquiring the No. 1 overall pick. The Bears, who initially asked about Burns and Derrick Brown, quickly extended Montez Sweat after acquiring him, highlighting another missed opportunity for the Panthers.
Burns aimed for a contract around $30 million per year, a figure that became less feasible for the Panthers after Nick Bosa’s $34 million annual deal with the 49ers. Comparatively, Burns’ performance did not justify surpassing T.J. Watt’s record deal for an outside linebacker. Although there was interest in Burns at the 2023 trade deadline, none of the offers matched what the Rams had initially proposed.
Ultimately, the Giants benefitted from the Panthers’ misstep. New GM Dan Morgan and former colleague Joe Schoen facilitated a March trade, securing Burns for a package similar to what the Giants received for Leonard Williams. The Giants then signed Burns to a lucrative five-year, $141 million deal, with $76 million guaranteed. This contract places Burns among the top-paid edge defenders in the league.
Since then, the Panthers have extended Brown but have seen cornerstones like Moore and Burns leave. The lackluster performance of their receiving corps in 2023 has contributed to rookie quarterback Bryce Young’s struggles. In response, the Panthers have bolstered their outside linebacker group with free agents Jadeveon Clowney, D.J. Wonnum, and K’Lavon Chaisson, though none appear to be a long-term replacement for Burns. GM Dan Morgan now faces the challenge of finding a new cornerstone for the team’s defense.
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