New York Giants edge rusher Brian Burns will be facing the team that drafted him No. 16 overall in 2019 for the first time this Sunday when the Giants face the Carolina Panthers in Munich, Germany.
Burns spent five seasons with the Panthers and made a name for himself as a top pass rusher. In Carolina, Burns recorded 59 tackles for a loss, 46 sacks, and 13 passes defensed in 80 games. He had at least 7.5 or more sacks in each season in Carolina.
This past offseason, the Giants decided to trade for Burns and sign him to a five-year extension. He is a Giant now but still recognized his days in Carolina during his media session on Monday.
“No, like I said, business is business,” Burns said when asked if there was any unfinished business with the Panthers. “Business happened. I’m happy where I am. I’m blessed.”
Burns confirmed the trade was something that he didn’t ask for but felt it coming after the team decided to rebuild.
“Surprise? I wouldn’t say a surprise,” he said. “I would say you could kind of feel the direction it was going in. But no. Just to answer your question, I didn’t ask for a trade.”
He has no ill will toward the team that drafted him.
“I respect those people in that building, that organization. Like I said, I’m blessed. There isn’t really too much to speak on. I’m happy where I am now and I’m just trying to make this team win,” he said.
Burns did mention that he left Carolina without saying proper goodbyes to people, and is looking forward to seeing many of them.
“There are a ton of people that I didn’t get to talk to before I left. Over five years, you build that bond with a lot of people in a lot of different ways,” he said. “I do have a special connection with some people from the equipment staff, training staff and some of the lunch people. I’ve just got connections all over that building. So, I can’t wait to see them.”
During Burns’ five seasons in Carolina, the Panthers won a total of 24 games and some see his move from there to East Rutherford as jumping from the frying pan into the fire as the Giants haven’t fared much better.
“I’m not going to make it any bigger than what the line and everything’s going to be about it. It’s just another game to me. I’m going to prepare the same way and plan to get a win in Germany,” he said.
A win this Giants team so sorely needs.
