The New York Giants are adding a new weapon to their defensive arsenal this season: Brian Burns, a highly regarded edge rusher who joins the team after a solid stint with the Carolina Panthers.
At 25 years old, Burns is entering what he believes are the prime years of his playing career. "I really don't feel like I tapped into my ceiling. I feel like I'm just scratching the surface. I feel like I'm really entering my prime, honestly," Burns remarked. "I feel like there's so much more I can get better at. There's so much more I can improve on. Those numbers are gonna skyrocket once I do."
Bursting Onto the Scene
Since entering the league in 2019, Burns has been a consistent force on the field. He has achieved at least 7.5 sacks in each of his five seasons with the Panthers. Last season, he recorded 40 pressures, 8.0 sacks, 18 quarterback hits, and an 11.1% pressure rate. Over that span, Burns accumulated 59 tackles for loss, placing him sixth in the league in that statistic.
Recognizing his ability to disrupt the opponent's backfield, the Giants acquired Burns through a trade that cost them a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick. They further committed to him by signing Burns to a lucrative five-year, $150 million deal.
New Defensive Configuration
The Giants' roster already features promising young talents like Kayvon Thibodeaux, 23, and Dexter Lawrence, 26, in the pass-rushing unit. Adding Burns, with his exceptional skills and track record, transforms this unit into a potentially formidable force. In an interesting turn of events, the Giants also hired Shane Bowen as their new defensive coordinator.
Last season, the Giants had the highest blitz and man-coverage rates in the NFL, a strategy that will likely benefit from the addition of Burns. However, they finished 29th in total defense and 22nd in scoring, indicating a need for improvement in their defensive execution.
Seizing the Opportunity
Burns expressed relief at the prospect of focusing solely on attacking the quarterback, rather than being dropped back into coverage. "It allows me to continue to attack the quarterback," he emphasized, adding, "Not going backwards, not going into coverage as much. The main thing is we're going after the quarterback and we're embracing it."
With a pressure rate of 31.7% last season, the Giants are banking on Burns to elevate those figures even further. His mindset and skill set align perfectly with the team's aggressive defensive approach, and the hope is that Burns will be able to capitalize on these opportunities to boost his already strong statistical performance.
A Promising Future
The addition of Brian Burns is a significant step for the Giants as they strive to bolster their defense and shift the dynamics of their play. Burns' belief in his untapped potential adds an extra layer of excitement and anticipation for the upcoming season. As he integrates with his new teammates and the new defensive scheme under Shane Bowen, there is plenty of optimism that Burns will indeed see his numbers "skyrocket."
In bringing Burns on board, the Giants are clearly signaling their intent to invest in elite defensive talent and close the gaps that have hindered them in past seasons. The upcoming games will reveal just how impactful this acquisition will be in reshaping the Giants' defensive fortunes.