The numbers game has not been going well this year for Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Brian Burns.
Heading into Week 16 (still without a contract extension, mind you), Burns has tallied just 6.0 sacks. And with three games to go, that’s quite a dip in production for the two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher—who posted a career-high 12.5 takedowns in 2022.
Nonetheless, defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero took some time on Thursday to praise the fifth-year pass rusher for his unheralded work this season.
“He’s a special talent in terms of his measurables, size, length, the ability to run, change direction, his play style,” Evero said. “For a guy that came into the league not a very big-style guy—he’s very aggressive, he’s very physical, he built his body up the right way. And he’s been very productive.
“It’s unfortunate that the numbers, especially the sack numbers, don’t reflect the disruptive play that he’s had. But if you go watch the film and see what this young man is doing game in and game out—he’s affecting the quarterback, he plays hard, he’s a run-down and a pass-down player and he’s really done a good job.”
Evero was then asked why those sack numbers aren’t there.
“Well, there’s a lot of factors,” he replied. “You don’t get as many sacks too when you’re in our situation, right? We’re not playing a lot of pass downs. And so, that’s part of it. And he’s gonna get attention as well just because of the player he is. But I’ve been really, really happy with his play this year.”
Burns, according to Pro Football Focus, has registered 34 pressures on the campaign—which currently ranks 52nd amongst all edge rushers. He ranked 12th at his position last season.
But, as Evero alluded to, Burns has stepped up in other areas. PFF also has Burns at a 67.1 grade in run defense and an 85.3 in coverage, both of which would stand as a new career-highs for the 25-year-old.
