The Carolina Panthers broke the bank for superstar guard Robert Hunt, and now they might need to trade Brian Burns to make more moves in free agency. As of this posting, the exact structure of Hunt’s deal is not yet available to the public, so we don’t know what his 2024 salary cap hit will be. With that being said, it’s hard to give someone $100 million without leaving a mark on the salary cap.
Carolina entered the legal tampering period with roughly $13 million in available cap after cutting safety Vonn Bell. A big reason for the lack of spending money is their homegrown pass rusher currently on the franchise tag. The Panthers have turned down multiple opportunities to trade Brian Burns in the past, as the team believed he was an instrumental part of their rebuild. However, as the two sides struggle to come to a long-term agreement, Carolina might be changing their minds on the issue.
For what it’s worth, one report indicates that the New York Giants might be willing to trade for Brian Burns. According to Connor Hughes of SNY TV, both Burns and the Giants have mutual interest in a potential deal.
Sources: Keep an eye on the #Giants as a potential trade destination for Panthers star pass rusher Brian Burns. There is mutual interest there in getting something done.
Would certainly be the biggest splash for Schoen during his tenure. Burns, who turns 26 next month, has 38.5… pic.twitter.com/ulBpaNKTlb
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) March 11, 2024
One Frontrunner Emerges In Brian Burns Trade Talks
After losing Saquon Barkley in free agency, the New York Giants are looking to rebuild under a new core of players. It’s impossible to know just how much cap space any team has at this moment in time, but it’s safe to assume the Giants have the financial ability to make this deal work. After all, this team needs pass rusher and Burns is one of the better options in the league.
It will be interesting to see what the Panthers can get in a Brian Burns trade. Back at the 2022 trade deadline, the team turned down two first-round picks for the pass rusher’s services. There is no way they’ll get an offer like that again, but perhaps the Giants would be willing to part with their first-round pick (sixth overall) in exchange for Burns and Carolina’s second-round selection.
Of course, the Giants are just one of the 32 teams in the NFL. Every single organization would love to have a player like Brian Burns on their roster, but only a few are in a position to trade for him. While New York could very well end up with him, these three other teams are worth monitoring.
Other Possible Fits
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens have the most high-quality free agents in the league, and they’ve already lost one of them to a division rival. If they can’t afford to bring back multiple high-priced free agents, then perhaps they can afford to trade for one difference-making pass rusher in Brian Burns.
Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders already added a few defensive free agents, but they need a lot more help to fix this woeful unit. The team already signed Dorrance Armstrong, and pairing him with incumbent Jonathon Allen Brian Burns in a trade could create a ferocious pass rush.
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions have a lot of cap space but haven’t done much with it. Perhaps they’re saving money to re-sign their own players, or perhaps they’re saving up for a Brian Burns trade. This offense is good enough to win a championship, but the defense needs to find more playmakers.
Main Photo: Bob Donnan – USA Today Sports
