The latest on Giants acquiring Brian Burns

Reports of serious trade talks between the Panthers and Giants regarding Brian Burns came a day before the teams reached an agreement on a Pro Bowl edge rusher. Initial talks on the subject, however, began much earlier.

Panthers CEO Dan Morgan First, the possibility of trading Burns with a Giants counterpart was discussed Joe Schoen in February, as described in the 2024 debut episode. Tough Experiences: The Off-Season series (video link). Morgan’s comments on Schoen – with Bills CEO Brandon Beanewho has a long-standing relationship with the pair – made it clear that Burns was available.

Carolina turned down an offer from the Rams to trade them for two first-round picks when Scott Fitterer was at the helm. His firing allowed Morgan to take over, but with no contract extension in place, a move to bring the 26-year-old to a new team became increasingly possible. Morgan’s conversation with Schoen began with an asking price of two Day 1 picks before it was quickly lowered to “one and something.”

The latter price was more logical considering Burns was set to play on the franchise tag in 2024. Because he had to be extended upon arrival, his trade value to the acquiring team was significantly lower than it was when the Rams’ offer was rejected. Giants director of pro scouting Chris Rossetti also estimated the cost of acquiring Burns at a first-round pick or more, though Schoen remained optimistic that the lack of progress in contract extension talks could lower that (source: Dan Duggan of The Athletic).

The sides ultimately worked out a trade agreement in March. The Panthers sent Burns and the No. 166 overall pick in the 2024 draft to the Giants for the No. 39 and 141 picks, in addition to a fifth-round pick next year. New York quickly responded by hammering out a five-year, $141 million extension that will make the Florida State wideout the centerpiece of the team’s offense. As a result, expectations will be high, and Burns will be carrying a pricey new contract on the Giants’ books.

For the Panthers, meanwhile, the return was more valuable than the compensatory pick the team would have received if free agent Burns left after the 2024 campaign. Carolina can move forward with plenty of cap flexibility, though the sack artist’s absence will undoubtedly be felt among the team’s remaining players. Given their ties from their Panthers days, Morgan and Schoen could use Burns’ deal as a template for future trade negotiations.