While the big NFL stories of Monday revolved around free agency, there was also a major trade later in the day.
The Carolina Panthers have agreed to trade defensive end Brian Burns to the New York Giants in exchange for a second-rounder and fifth-rounder in next month’s NFL Draft.
Additionally, the Giants have agreed to a five-year $150 million extension with Burns, who will become the second-highest paid defensive end in the league
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport had the news first Monday night.
Originally drafted with the sixteenth pick of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Florida State, Burns had great success in his five seasons with Carolina. His 46 sacks as a Panther place him fifth all-time in franchise history. Burns’ best season came in 2022 when he finished tied for eighth in the NFL with 12.5 sacks. He had been the subject of trade rumors for years, and Carolina reportedly turned down multiple first round picks for him in the past. as the Panthers remain in a state of perpetual rebuild, and Monday’s news had to come as a relief to the 25-year-old two-time Pro Bowler.
Burns now joins a Giants defensive line that was already very talented with two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and rising defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, who finished his second NFL season with 11.5 sacks, tied for 12th best in the league.
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