Revisiting the Rams 2022 Trade Offer for Brian Burns
Everything about Brian Burns' contract situation is a mess. Carolina has dragged their feet in contract negotiations with the 25-year-old, two-time Pro Bowler, and they're paying for it. The Panthers officially placed the franchise tag on Brian Burns on Tuesday, and if the team fails to sign him to a long-term extension or trade him in the next 12 months, they risk losing a talented edge rusher for nothing. If that happens, it would be an abject disaster for a franchise that has become familiar with those.
It never had to be this way.
Two things could have happened to avoid the fate Carolina is staring down. The franchise could have signed Burns to a market fair contract extension last offseason. Burns is clearly a key piece in a defense that lacks them and the leading sack producer for the Panthers rightfully is demanding to be paid as such.
If Carolina had any plans to sign Burns to a below market deal, those went up in flames at the 2022 trade deadline. It has been widely reported that the Los Angeles Rams offered two first round draft picks (2024 and 2025) and a second round pick (2025) to Carolina in exchange for Burns. A massive haul that would have given the Rams an extra pass rusher to make another run at a championship, and given Carolina ammo to retool a barren roster.
In turning down that deal and clearly establishing Burns as a key piece to their defense, they inadvertently skyrocketed the edge rusher's worth. The decline of that deal took all of the negotiation power out of Carolina's hands and placed it firmly in Burns camp.
The Panthers' front office has now turned down a trade deal that would have sent Burns to a contender and beefed up their draft capital, and also low-balled their most talented player in contract negotiations after indirectly announcing his value to the Panthers.
Carolina is trying to have their cake and eat it too. They've got too much dip on their chip. They're doing the most. Whatever idiom in that vein you desire to use, it fits the situation. They're in a no-win situation.
It has been widely reported that Carolina will not be engaging in contract discussions with Burns any longer. The franchise tag has been placed on the linebacker again, and the two parties will be in this same situation again next offseason. Except, the franchise tag will not be an option, and Burns will hit the open market, free to sign wherever he pleases.
To say Carolina should have accepted the trade deal in 2022 is revisionist history. Burns was (and is) a star on a team that lacks them, and giving him up for picks signifies a full-on rebuild, which David Tepper has been slow to do.
In March of 2024, 17 months after the trade was declined, the Panther have shown zero interest in paying Burns what he believes he's worth, and what the team believes he's worth based on that trade.
If a breakthrough in negotiations happens and Carolina inks Burns to a long-term deal, all will be forgotten. He'll continue to produce and likely become one of the most productive pass rushers in franchise history.
If he walks next offseason and Carolina loses a talented defender for nothing, David Tepper will rue that failed phone call with Les Snead for years to come.
