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Brian Burns

Brian Burns Confirms No Panthers Extension Talks Ongoing

October 30th, 2023 at 3:04pm CST by Adam La Rose

Plenty have pointed to the Panthers as potential sellers ahead of tomorrow’s trade deadline, and a move involving Brian Burns would represent the most impactful one possible. While that does not appear likely, an agreement between team and player on a new contract is not on the horizon either.

The Pro Bowl edge rusher confirmed on Monday (via ESPN’s David Newton) that negotiations on an extension are still on hold. That has been the case since September, despite efforts on both sides during the offseason to gain traction on a long-term deal. As indicated by Burns himself and numerous reports, the Panthers have not come particularly close to hammering out an extension.

Burns is playing on the $16MM fifth-year option this season, and a wide gap still remains on the matter of compensation in his case. Mutual interest still exists to come to terms, but the threat of a franchise tag or a free agent departure has increasingly fueled speculation a trade could be coming. Burns was the target of a massive Rams proposal (one including two first-round picks) last year, but Carolina made it clear then, and in the spring trade which saw them acquire the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft, that Burns was untouchable.

The Florida State alum added that no new negotiations will take place “until it makes sense” to re-start them. The edge market has seen upward mobility recently, with Nick Bosa‘s record-breaking 49ers deal setting a new benchmark at the position That $34MM-per-year pact has been named as a target for Burns, while the Panthers are believed to be aiming closer to back end of the top 10 with respect to AAV (which would land him closer to the Rashan Gary Packers extension agreed to today).

Burns, 25, would carry signficant value for any acquiring team’s long-term future. Given the need for an extension to be worked out upon trading for him, though, it comes as no surprise that interest on that front has been relatively muted despite calls coming in. Continuing to anchor Carolina’s pass rush, Burns has posted five sacks in seven games this year, giving him 43 total in 71 games.

Of course, the Panthers could be persuaded to move on from the likes of wideout Terrace Marshall, cornerback Donte Jackson and safety/linebacker Jeremy Chinn. Those will remain names to watch in the immediate future, but even in the expected event Burns remains in Charlotte past tomorrow afternoon, his long-term status will still be in doubt.

Panthers Unlikely To Trade Brian Burns; Eagles Looked Into Jeremy Chinn

October 27th, 2023 at 8:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

In a strange position of being 0-6 and looking to add a wide receiver, the Panthers possess one of this year’s top trade pieces. Brian Burns continues to be mentioned in trades, with the parties’ failed summer negotiations playing a role in the edge rusher’s cloudy Carolina future.

The Panthers, however, are open to revisiting extension talks with Burns in-season. That may be leading to the chatter the fifth-year defender is more likely to stay. After a report earlier this week indicated the Panthers were informing teams they are not putting Burns on the table, The Athletic’s Joe Person indicates (subscription required) the expectation is Carolina’s top sack artist is not expected to be dealt.

Given what the Panthers rejected for Burns at multiple points over the past year, committing to hammering out an extension would make sense. The team turned down a Rams offer of two first-rounders last year. Los Angeles not having a 2023 first-round pick played into Carolina’s decision to pass there, but Burns — who is now in a contract year, being tied to a $16MM fifth-year option salary — will almost definitely not generate that kind of offer before this year’s Tuesday deadline. Carolina also refused to include Burns in its March trade with Chicago, which led to the Bears insisting D.J. Moore be part of the package that netted the Panthers the No. 1 overall pick.

Those organizational decisions have likely emboldened Burns on the extension front, and Nick Bosa raising the defensive salary ceiling to $34MM per year undoubtedly impacted the Panthers’ negotiations as well. While Burns was previously believed to be in line for a deal that placed him in the top five among edge rushers — more likely at the bottom of that list, around Maxx Crosby‘s $23.5MM-per-year extension — Bosa’s agreement and the salary cap’s rise have likely led Burns’ camp to push for more.

If Carolina commits to revisiting the extension talks, the team will have a 2024 franchise tag in its back pocket. Using a base 3-4 defense, the Panthers would be in line to attempt to save some money on a Burns tag. Even though he functions primarily as an edge rusher, teams have successfully classified 3-4 OLBs as linebackers — rather than defensive ends — under a tag formula that still groups all linebackers together while separating defensive ends. Recent precedent favored the teams here.

In 2020, 3-4 OLBs Shaquil Barrett, Bud Dupree and Matt Judon were each tagged as linebackers. Though, the Ravens and Judon agreed to a compromise that upped the edge defender’s tender number that year. OverTheCap projects the 2024 linebacker tag to check in at $17.42MM and the D-end tag to be $21.64MM. This could be a negotiating tool for the Panthers, should they decide to continue down the road with Burns rather than trade him by Tuesday.

Additionally, the Panthers are still open to trading Jeremy Chinn, Donte Jackson and Terrace Marshall. This has been the case for a bit now, and Marshall requested to be moved. The Eagles made a splashy safety trade this week, landing All-Pro Kevin Byard from the Titans. Prior to the Byard deal being completed, Person adds Philadelphia pursued Chinn.

However, the contract-year DB suffered a quad injury that led him to IR. The Eagles were close to drafting Chinn in the 2020 second round, ultimately deciding to take Jalen Hurts instead despite rostering Carson Wentz at the time. That decision changed the direction of the franchise. While Chinn has excelled at points for the Panthers, he had seen his snaps reduced in Ejiro Evero‘s system prior to the injury. The Panthers should still be expected to be thrown into trade rumors before the 3pm Tuesday deadline, but Chinn is now likely to close out his contract year in Charlotte.

Trade Rumors: Rams, Burns, Panthers, Browns, Saints, Bucs

October 25th, 2023 at 2:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

Earlier this month, Sean McVay pushed back on the notion the Rams would be active buyers. This has been the NFL’s preeminent buyer in recent years, with the McVay seasons involving the Rams trading for Von Miller, Jalen Ramsey, Austin Corbett and Dante Fowler. While Los Angeles probably is not preparing any two-first-rounder offers this season (after the Panthers turned down that monster proposal for Brian Burns in 2022), Yahoo.com’s Charles Robinson notes the Rams are “definitely” looking around for potential help.

With the Rams trading Ramsey and gutting their defense, they were more likely to be sellers at the deadline. But the team is 3-4, after a controversial loss to the Steelers, and has not looked like a club going through a rebuild. Each of L.A.’s losses has come by 10 points or less. The Rams should not be ruled out from asking about Burns again, per Robinson, with the price likely not at two first-rounders again. It would still surprise if the Rams parted with a first-round pick for Burns, seeing as they finally are set to enter a draft with a Round 1 pick. L.A. has not made a first-round pick since Jared Goff in 2016.

With the deadline at 3pm on Oct. 31, here is the latest from the trade front:

  • The Panthers have received calls on Burns, but the interest does not seem to be where it was a year ago. The fifth-year pass rusher is in line for a high-end extension, which will affect his trade price tag. Carolina may now be showing the same resistance it did at the 2022 deadline, with ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano noting the team is informing others Burns is not available. A recent report suggested the value gap between Burns and the Panthers could lead to the team reopening the door on a trade, and a new defensive staff is in place. Then again, Burns has played for five HCs (counting the two interim bosses) and has continued to produce.
  • Sitting at 4-2 after two close wins, the Browns have gotten here despite Deshaun Watson‘s nagging shoulder injury. They have been linked to being both buyers and sellers, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, who notes the team is believed to be interested in adding a wide receiver and an offensive lineman (subscription required). Cleveland was fairly aggressive on the receiver front this offseason, trading for Elijah Moore, drafting Cedric Tillman in Round 3 and signing Marquise Goodwin. Contract-year target Donovan Peoples-Jones has disappointed, however, sitting on 97 receiving yards in six games. Only Amari Cooper resides as a particularly imposing threat. Up front, the Browns lost right tackle Jack Conklin for the season. Joel Bitonio also missed a game for the first time in seven years, though the All-Pro guard returned for Week 7.
  • Also in the mix for a potential receiver add: the Saints. New Orleans is monitoring the wideout market, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler writes. The Saints have seen Michael Thomas stay on the field for an extended stretch for the first time since 2019, and Rashid Shaheed has taken steps in his second season. No. 1 target Chris Olave has not yet built on his rookie-year showing, but he is still on pace for a 1,000-yard season. This trio’s presence makes New Orleans’ prospective receiver push a bit interesting. Hunter Renfrow would come to mind as an obvious fit, given his production with Derek Carr in the past. The Raiders are open to moving the $16MM-per-year slot, who has fallen out of favor in Josh McDaniels‘ offense. While it does not seem like it would take much to land Renfrow, the Raiders are also not eager to eat any of the fifth-year target’s prorated $10.82MM salary.
  • The Buccaneers should be expected to look into adding a running back before the deadline, Graziano adds. While Tampa Bay was linked to an outside RB pursuit this offseason, the team stood down. Its recommitment to Rachaad White has produced a negligible improvement. After a last-place 2022 rushing ranking, Tampa Bay sits 29th entering Week 8.

Latest On Panthers, Brian Burns; Team Still Interested In Adding WR

October 25th, 2023 at 10:18am CST by Sam Robinson

Leading up to the 2022 trade deadline, the Panthers received a monster offer for Brian Burns. Clinging to their all-in period, the Rams offered two first-rounders and a third for the ascending edge rusher. With neither of those firsts coming in 2023, the Panthers turned down the proposal and committed to hammering out an extension.

Despite extensive talks this offseason, no Burns extension is in place. The Panthers have the 2019 first-round pick tied to a $16MM fifth-year option salary and will have the franchise tag at their disposal next year. Burns’ status with Carolina beyond this season is in doubt, however, and trade rumors are following the Pro Bowl edge once again.

The lack of progress between Burns and the Panthers could lead to a trade, and GM Scott Fitterer is believed to have taken calls on the team’s top pass rusher. Those inquiries do not look to have produced an offer anywhere close to what the Rams proposed last year, with ESPN.com’s David Newton noting Burns interest has been somewhat scarce this time around.

The Panthers do not want to deal Burns, and Newton adds a first-round pick would be required for the team to move on. The Rams’ offer may end up becoming a significant “what if?” in recent Panthers history, especially if the organization moves on before the Oct. 31 deadline for a lesser package. But hurdles exist on the way to an extension agreement.

Both sides want to come to terms on an extension, per the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora, but enough of a gap exists here to cause legitimate concern no deal will come to pass. If the prospects of a re-up are bleak enough, the Panthers may consider reversing course and moving on from Burns. The Ron Rivera-era investment has continued his pace this season, notching four sacks and posting nine QB hits in six games.

Burns, 25, and the Panthers began negotiations back in June. Even that appeared a bit late, considering the Florida State alum became extension-eligible in January 2022. A deal near the Bradley Chubb–Maxx Crosby level ($22-$24MM) was viewed as a potential Burns sweet spot, but these negotiations had not progressed by training camp. Burns initially said he did not want to miss any time due to his contract, but be backtracked by staging an unusual hold-in effort after he had already begun practicing. But Burns’ 11th-hour move did not produce a deal. The Panthers are open to negotiating in-season, though Burns confirmed the talks never came close to producing a deal before Week 1.

In addition to wielding the leverage that came from the Panthers turning down the Rams’ monster offer, Burns’ camp also could use the fact he was kept out of the Bears trade this March. Chicago brought up Burns and Derrick Brown, but Fitterer successfully kept both rookie-contract pass rushers out of the deal. This led to D.J. Moore‘s inclusion. While the Panthers made an effective commitment to Burns by turning down trade overtures in October 2022 and this past March, that could prove costly from a financial standpoint — especially with Nick Bosa boosting the edge defender market in September.

Bosa’s new deal came in a whopping $6MM north of T.J. Watt‘s previous edge-record AAV ($28MM). With Bosa at $34MM per year, it is logical to expect Burns’ asking price to have gone up. With the NFL’s third- and fourth-highest-paid edges — Joey Bosa ($27MM per year) and Myles Garrett ($25MM) — more accomplished than Burns, Carolina’s hesitancy is also understandable. The sides do not have to reach an agreement by the trade deadline, though that would provide some finality. But if no confidence exists the parties will come to terms in the future, Burns would be one of this year’s top trade pieces available.

Additionally, the Panthers are still believed to be targeting a wide receiver. They make for perhaps the league’s strangest buyer, being the only winless team remaining, but La Canfora adds the team continues to eye weaponry. The Panthers have not seen much from their non-Adam Thielen wing of targets, and with Bryce Young also offering an inconsistent start, it is logical for the team to be looking around for help.

The Panthers are open to moving Terrace Marshall, and while their prime window to augment their receiving corps may come next year, the previously rumored receiver interest persists days ahead of the deadline. Marshall said (via The Athletic’s Joe Person) his role decrease has impacted the recent trade request.

Panthers OLB Brian Burns Generating Trade Interest; Latest On Team’s Other Trade Candidates

October 22nd, 2023 at 7:50am CST by Rory Parks

Panthers edge rusher Brian Burns is once again the subject of trade rumors. Burns is in a platform year, and as the Panthers are sitting at 0-6, GM Scott Fitterer is unsurprisingly fielding calls on the two-time Pro Bowler, as Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports (subscription required).

Burns was also a popular name at last year’s deadline, and Fitterer turned down an offer from the Rams that featured two first-round picks. That development ostensibly gave Burns plenty of leverage in negotiations on a long-term contract, negotiations that apparently have not generated much traction. Indeed, previous reports indicated that the two sides have not come close to striking an accord, as Burns is said to be seeking a deal with an average annual value approaching Nick Bosa‘s astronomical $34MM figure, while Carolina believes Maxx Crosby‘s $23.5MM AAV is a more appropriate comp.

In September, we learned that the Panthers were willing to continue contract talks in-season, though it is unclear if that has actually happened. Of course, an acquiring team would need to work out a lucrative contract extension in addition to parting with a premium trade package, which is perhaps one reason why Russini reports the Panthers are not expecting to deal Burns.

That said, they are listening to offers, as Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports writes. Robinson acknowledges that Carolina would prefer to keep Burns, but the club’s top priority is to furnish the offense with more talent to aid the development of rookie quarterback Bryce Young. As such, Fitterer could be willing to move Burns and would be seeking a first-round pick plus a talented, young offensive player or a first-round pick plus additional draft capital — including at least one Day 2 selection — in exchange.

Per Robinson, the 5-1 Lions — who have recorded a middling 15 sacks in 2023 — are one possible suitor for Burns. Robinson also believes the Rams could get in the mix again if they should win their next two contests and hit the October 31 deadline with a 5-3 record.

Generally, both Russini and Robinson hear that the Panthers are operating as both buyers and sellers in the run-up to the deadline. We have heard repeatedly over the past several weeks that the club is in pursuit of a high-end wideout, and a report from earlier this month suggested that receiver Terrace Marshall, safety/linebacker Jeremy Chinn, and cornerback Donte Jackson are all on the trade block.

Marshall has been granted permission to seek a trade, while Chinn is dealing with a significant quadriceps injury that will sideline him until December, which obviously represents a major blow to his trade value (though Russini hears that the contract-year defender is still available).

Jackson, meanwhile, is under club control through 2024, and both Robinson and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com report that there is outside interest in his services.

Brian Burns: Panthers Extension Talks “On Hold”

September 16th, 2023 at 8:47pm CST by Adam La Rose

With the regular season underway, many notable extension-eligible players have turned the attention from contract talks to their performance on the field. Panthers edge rusher Brian Burns is among them.

Talks between Burns and the Panthers took place this offseason, but the parties never seemed on the verge of an agreement being reached. The 25-year-old was present for training camp, but his temporary absence in the build-up to Week 1 left his status in question until shortly before the season opener. Burns is now prepared to put that process in the rearview and pause negotiations until the winter. He will make $16MM on the fifth-year option in 2023.

“We haven’t really been in talks,” the Florida State alum said, via ESPN’s David Newton. “I told them once the season started I’m all about ball. I can’t give a thousand percent on the field and to my teammates if I’m still worried about contract negotiations.”

Burns added that he considered a training camp holdout at one point, a tactic which many players have employed to create leverage during extension talks. Instead of remaining absent from the team during the summer – or even into the start of the regular season, as Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones did for one week this year – Burns committed to playing this season without a new deal in hand. A notable gap is believed to exist with respect to asking price on what will be a lucrative accord, making it little surprise that negotiations will be tabled.

Notably, however, Newton notes that the Panthers are willing to carry on extension talks during the campaign. It will be interesting to see if either side changes its stance as the season plays out. Burns got off to a productive start in Week 1 with a pair of sacks, bringing his career total to 40 in 65 games. A strong season (like his second straight Pro Bowl year in 2022) would help his market value, and thus his chances of landing a deal close to the historic one Nick Bosa signed with the 49ers days before Week 1.

That pact carries a $34MM AAV, well outpacing the next highest edge rush deal (T.J. Watt‘s $28MM-per-year contract). The Panthers are believed to be targeting a Burns extension landing him closer to Maxx Crosby‘s annual compensation of $23.MM. A figure falling between those two baselines would come as little surprise if and when a deal is struck keeping Burns in Carolina, but it appears such a development will not take place for at least the next several months.

Panthers, OLB Brian Burns Never Came Close To Extension

September 15th, 2023 at 8:12pm CST by Ely Allen

The offseason came and went with no extension for talented, young Panthers pass rusher Brian Burns. While the negotiations kept Burns out of some offseason participation, and potentially some practices before Week 1, they didn’t prevent him from making his season debut this past weekend in Atlanta. Despite Burns’ willingness not to hold out, it appears that the two sides were never close to an agreement on a new deal, according to David Newton of ESPN.

Head coach Frank Reich reportedly made it seem as if Burns not practicing in the team’s first two practices of the week was related to his contract after calling it a “personal matter.” He would go on to commend the consummate professionalism of Burns throughout the process of preparing for the season opener without committing to Burns’ participation in Week 1. Regardless, Burns showed up to practice for the remainder of the week and racked up two sacks in his first start of the year.

Many expected Burns’ representation to use Nick Bosa‘s extension with the 49ers as a measuring stick for a new deal. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year secured the largest commitment ever made to a player on that side of the ball (five years, $170MM with $88MM guaranteed), likely boosting the edge market as a whole. Burns was reported to be seeking an AAV similar to Bosa’s. Carolina is aiming for a pact averaging closer to Maxx Crosby‘s annual compensation ($23.5MM).

While Burns has struggled in other aspects of the game, he has proven to have elite pass rushing ability. As the market for pass rushers continue to rise, a strong contract year for Burns should only guarantee that he increases his asking price in free agency. A likely range for him to fall into is squarely between Bosa and Crosby and closer to the ranges of T.J. Watt and the older Joey Bosa ($28MM and $27MM, respectively).

Another likely scenario sees the Panthers attempting to franchise tag Burns to keep him away from the free agent market for an additional season. In an ideal world, the Panthers could avoid the potential of damaging their relationship with Burns by reaching an extension during the season and avoiding the need for the franchise tag. For now, though, the two parties may just need some time to step away and let the situation breathe before returning for more negotiations.

No Brian Burns Extension Imminent; Panthers OLB Expected To Play In Week 1

September 9th, 2023 at 8:47pm CST by Adam La Rose

Brian Burns‘ hold-in efforts have not yielded an extension agreement in time for the start of the season. The Panthers edge rusher is not expected to sign a deal before Week 1, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

A Burns extension has been on Carolina’s radar for quite some time now, and it has become clear they intend to keep him in the fold for years to come on a few occasions. The Panthers turned down a Rams trade package for the 25-year-old which included a pair of first-round picks at the deadline, and they insisted he would not be involved in the swap with the Bears which allowed them to acquire the top selection in April’s draft.

That gave the Florida State alum plenty of leverage in extension talks, but little progress has been made with the team seeking to work out a new pact ahead of tomorrow’s season opener. Burns – who attended training camp – recently indicated he would not miss regular season time, a move which would have subjected him to $890K in weekly fines. Those comments contrasted notably with his decision to not participate in certain practices, however, and it remained in doubt whether or not he would suit up without a contract in hand.

On that point, Fowler adds that Burns resumed practicing in recent days, and he is expected to play against the Falcons on Sunday. It is unclear if extension talks will continue once the season kicks off, or if player and team will choose to wait until the spring to resume negotiations. In any case, Burns is now set to earn $16MM this season as a result of Carolina’s decision to pick up his fifth-year option. He is not signed beyond 2023.

Many expected the Burns camp to use Nick Bosa‘s extension with the 49ers as a measuring stick for his own value. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year secured the largest commitment ever made to a player on that side of the ball (five years, $170MM with $88MM guaranteed), likely boosting the edge market as a whole. Burns was reported to be seeking an AAV similar to Bosa’s, though that was before the latter’s $34MM figure in that regard was revealed through his deal being finalized. Carolina is aiming for a pact averaging closer to Maxx Crosby‘s annual compensation ($23.5MM).

The Panthers would be well suited to have Burns in place for Week 1 and throughout the early portion of the campaign since Marquis Haynes is on IR, ensuring a four-week absence. That will add to the former’s responsibilities as Carolina’s top edge rusher as he looks to secure a major payday in the future with contract talks now (at least seemingly) in the rearview.

Latest On Panthers, Brian Burns

September 4th, 2023 at 6:04pm CST by Sam Robinson

Extension-eligible since January 2022, Brian Burns has decided to ramp up the pressure on the Panthers. The fifth-year pass rusher has shifted to a hold-in strategy, Joe Person of The Athletic notes (subscription required).

Burns attended training camp and practiced throughout, but with the sides still far apart on the long-rumored extension, a course change took place. The 2019 first-round pick is going into his fifth-year option season, slotting his cap number at a Panthers-high $16MM. That number could come into play for a different reason soon. The Panthers made an early-summer offer to Burns and have eyed an extension for over a year now.

This marks an unusual switch, though this summer has seen a few twists regarding attendance. Zack Martin, Chris Jones and Nick Bosa staged holdouts. Martin’s ended with the Cowboys giving their All-Pro guard a substantial raise and guaranteeing his 2023 and 2024 salaries. The Chiefs have not caved on Jones, though the sides are talking. The least contentious of these holdouts, Bosa’s would not need to bring financial penalties for camp absences due to the reigning Defensive Player of the Year remaining on his rookie contract. But Bosa would begin to miss game checks if he does not suit up for Week 1.

Burns would soon find himself in that boat. If the Pro Bowl edge defender’s hold-in effort moves to games missed, he would lose out on an $890K check per game. Burns just said he would not miss any time. That stance would obviously point to him not missing Week 1, undercutting his hold-in leverage. Frank Reich said Burns missed Monday’s practice because of a personal matter but added he was not sure his top sack artist would begin the season without a new deal in hand.

When T.J. Watt secured an edge rusher-record $28MM per year, he staged a hold-in that did not end until three days before Week 1. T.J. Hockenson‘s hold-in, which featured excuses of ear and back issues covering for missed practices, ended last week with a tight end-record AAV. That would have been a more consistent measure for Burns to try, but shifting from practicing to a hold-in just before the season marks a new chapter in 2020s negotiations. It also signals Burns becoming serious about locking in this deal after being eligible for one for two offseasons.

Previously connected to wanting top-five edge rusher money, Burns now may be eyeing a contract closer to the one Bosa is pursuing. Burns, 25, is indeed eyeing “Bosa-type money,” per Person, who adds the Panthers would be more comfortable with the deal coming in around Maxx Crosby territory. Crosby scored a $23.5MM-per-year deal from the Raiders in March 2022; that sits fifth among edge rushers. Bosa’s pact will soon bump it to sixth. Guarantees here will obviously be critical. Watt received a defender-record $80MM fully guaranteed. While Joey Bosa is at $78MM and Nick Bosa figures to secure guarantees on this level, no other edge rusher received more than $60MM locked in at signing.

It is understandable the Panthers do not want Burns in the $30MM-per-year neighborhood — contract terrain that has yet to form, as Nick Bosa’s holdout persists — as Burns has not proven himself to be on Watt or Nick Bosa’s level yet. He has one double-digit sack season (12.5 in 2022) on his resume. But the player has leverage here. The Panthers turned down a two-first-rounder Rams proposal for Burns before last year’s deadline, and they kept him out of trade talks with the Bears — which led to D.J. Moore becoming mandatory for Chicago — in March. The Panthers are also set to build around Bryce Young‘s rookie contract, which will give them roster flexibility elsewhere.

It will be interesting to see if Burns’ about-face works here. It could provide a blueprint for other contract-seeking players who see talks fail to progress ahead of the season. The Raiders and Colts’ extensions for Darren Waller and Quenton Nelson, respectively, showed how close to the season negotiations can run. Both players agreed to re-ups the Saturday before their teams’ Week 1 games. Burns talks may push up against the Panthers’ season opener as well.

Panthers Place OLB Marquis Haynes On IR; Latest On Brian Burns

September 4th, 2023 at 12:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Panthers’ edge rushing contingent will be shorthanded to start the season. The team announced on Monday that Marquis Haynes has been placed on IR. He will be sidelined for at least four weeks as a result.

Haynes has served in a backup role throughout his his five-year tenure in Carolina. The 29-year-old saw an uptick in usage last season, though, logging a 41% snap share. He translated that increased workload into career highs in sacks (five), pressures (16) and QB hits (13). His absence will thus be felt by a Panthers team looking to improve on the edge in 2023.

Carolina was long connected to additions to its pass-rushing contingent, and it thus came as no surprise that veteran Justin Houston was signed in August. The four-time Pro Bowler inked a one-year deal including $6MM guaranteed, giving the Panthers a complimentary option opposite Brian Burns. Houston led the Ravens with 9.5 sacks last season, and production anywhere near that level would make his addition a worthwhile one. Haynes’ absence will likely lead to a larger-than-expected workload for the 34-year-old early in the campaign.

With that said, Haynes had been dealing with a lingering back injury through the summer. Head coach Frank Reich said the team had been expecting the former former fourth-rounder to miss Week 1, so today’s news comes as little surprise. It is signficant, however, given the uncertainty surrounding Burns’ availability for the team’s regular season opener.

The latter has been with the team throughout training camp as talks continue on a multi-year extension. Burns remains hopeful that something will be worked out in the near future, but Reich confirmed on Monday that the 25-year-old did not take part in practice due to a personal matter. With his financial future beyond 2023 uncertain, questions have been raised about whether or not Burns will suit up for Week 1.

On that point, Reich said (via The Athletic’s Joe Person) that he is unsure if Burns is willing to start the campaign without a deal in hand. Especially if he misses time to try and leverage an extension, the loss of Haynes early in the campaign will be acutely felt by the Panthers’ defense.

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