Playing super hero isn’t a game. It’s fate.
And for Brian Burns, his fate took him elsewhere this week.
On Monday, the Carolina Panthers agreed to trade the 25-year-old outside linebacker to the New York Giants in exchange for an underwhelming return of draft picks. With the new league year officially beginning on Wednesday, Big Blue wasted no time rolling Burns out to the media.
During his introductory press conference, he was asked what he believed went wrong in Carolina.
“Respect to Carolina,” Burns replied. “I really appreciate them drafting me back in ’19 and I had a great five years there. It just came to an end and we split paths. But I’m just super excited to be a Giant now, I’m ready to start this new journey and continue my career. I’m ready to do great things.”
He did some great things in Carolina over those five years. Burns leaves having recorded 46.0 sacks, the fifth-most in franchise history, and a pair of Pro Bowl selections.
What seemed to be a sure thing about a year ago, a long-term agreement between the Panthers and Burns was never reached. He ended up getting his wish from the Giants, who are signing him to a five-year, $141 million pact.
The deal will make Burns the NFL’s second-highest paid pass rusher in terms of annual average salary.
