The Carolina Panthers and pass rusher Brian Burns are entering uncharted territory. Unlike fellow defensive stars Nick Bosa and Chris Jones, who staged holdouts throughout the summer and into the preseason while awaiting extensions, Burns is “holding in.”
Except he actually practiced this week — fully — on both Wednesday and Thursday.
The Panthers face the Atlanta Falcons in fewer than 72 hours. If Burns doesn’t have a new contract in place by kickoff, will he suit up for Week 1? Or will he sit out until an extension is hammered out?
Is Brian Burns Playing in Week 1?
Burns missed all of Carolina’s minicamp and OTA sessions while recovering from offseason ankle surgery, but he participated in practices and meetings throughout training camp.
Things changed last week when Burns declined to practice with the Panthers during on-field drills. He took the same approach on Monday.
However, Burns was back in pads on Wednesday and Thursday and wasn’t listed on Carolina’s injury report, suggesting he was a full participant in team-based work.
Brian Burns at practice. Still no word on a contract extension or if he plans to play on Sunday if he doesn’t get one. pic.twitter.com/Ts5jIkB2iH
— Steve Reed (@SteveReedAP) September 7, 2023
Neither Burns nor the Panthers have indicated whether the 25-year-old will play against Atlanta on Sunday if the two sides haven’t agreed on a new pact by then. Burns has declined any comment on the situation at all, but head coach Frank Reich addressed the odd state of affairs on Wednesday.
“He’s been in the building,” Reich said. “He’s in there lifting weights. He’s in meetings. He’s not been a distraction. He’s missed a couple of practices. He’s been a complete pro.”
Burns will earn $16.012 million in 2023 if he plays on his fifth-year option. Barring an extension, he could become a free agent next spring, although the Panthers would almost assuredly deploy the franchise tag to retain him.
On paper, Burns should hold tremendous leverage in negotiations. Carolina is believed to have rejected two first-round picks from the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for Burns at last year’s trade deadline. His name also came up when the Panthers were negotiating to acquire the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft from the Chicago Bears.
Pro Football Network’s Adam Caplan reported this week that an agreement between Burns and the Panthers is “not close.”
Bosa reset the NFL’s EDGE market this week when he became the league’s highest-paid defender at $34 million annually. A veteran NFL agent told Caplan that Burns “should reasonably be asking for $25-$27 (million) a season.”
The Panthers Desperately Need Burns on the Field
After ranking 16th in yards per play, 17th in EPA per play, and 21st in success rate a year ago, Carolina’s defense has all the makings of a surprise top-10 unit heading into 2023.
New defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero was one of the stars of this offseason’s hiring cycle and nearly landed a head coaching job. He’ll lead a talented depth chart with holdovers like Derrick Brown, Jayce Horn, Frankie Luvu, and Jeremy Chinn and new additions such as Vonn Bell, Shy Tuttle, and Justin Houston.
Panthers DC Ejiro Evero said OLB Brian Burns looked great in practice on Wednesday but when asked if he’s preparing as though Burns will play Sunday he said he’s taking it day by day. pic.twitter.com/u17zs5iuBv
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) September 7, 2023
But Burns is the most talented player on Carolina’s roster and easily their best pass rusher. He’s accumulated 38 sacks since entering the NFL as the 16th pick in the 2019 draft, the 11th-most in the league during that span. A two-time Pro Bowler, Burns ranked 12th in the NFL with 68 pressures last season, per PFF.
Houston is the Panthers’ only primary edge defender with more than two career sacks. If Burns sits out of Week 1, Carolina will have to rely on Yetur Gross-Matos, Amaré Barno, and third-round rookie DJ Johnson opposite Houston.
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The Panthers recently placed pass rusher Marquis Haynes Sr. on injured reserve with a back injury, meaning he’ll have to miss at least four games. They don’t have the depth on the edge to withstand Burns’ potential absence.
“Everybody here knows,” Carolina linebacker Shaq Thompson said this week. “Everybody outside of here knows. Everybody in the stands knows. Everybody above us knows what he deserves and what he should be getting paid. They know what to do to make it right before Week 1.”