The “hold-in” is holding on.
According to Joe Person of The Athletic, the Carolina Panthers and outside linebacker Brian Burns are “still far apart” on a new deal. The two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher, who sat out part of last Thursday’s practice and yesterday’s walkthrough, has been seeking a big-money contract extension this offseason.
Buy Panthers TicketsWhile Burns hasn’t expressed a desire to hold out of team activities—as he’s stated pretty much the opposite throughout the summer—his two absences are, at the very least, a tad concerning with the season opener coming up on Sunday. Head coach Frank Reich, who said he isn’t in on any of the current negotiations, told reporters that he does not know if the star edge defender will be in uniform against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1.
“I’m at the stage in this where I’m not involved in the contract negotiation. At all. Zero,” he said on Monday. “Mr. Tepper and Scott [Fitterer] asked me my views of certain things. I’ve expressed my views.
“I’m just worried about gettin’ our team ready to play Atlanta. Really. That’s all that’s on my mind. And do I hope he’s there? Absolutely I hope he’s there. But if he’s not there, I’m not worried about it. Just move forward.”
With Wednesday’s upcoming practice representing the next important step towards the beginning of the new campaign, tomorrow could give us more answers—or perhaps even questions—in this increasingly tense situation.
