Spider-Man is going Broadway.
As first reported by Sheena Quick of FOX Sports Radio on Monday, the Carolina Panthers have agreed to trade outside linebacker Brian Burns to the New York Giants. The Panthers, per NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, will receive a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick in return.
Before breaking into the pros, Burns was a standout force at Florida State University—having recorded 24.0 sacks and seven forced fumbles over 38 games between 2016 and 2018. Soon after forgoing his senior year, the fresh first-team All-ACC selection was taken by the Panthers with the 16th overall pick of the 2019 NFL draft.
Burns would have to settle in as a rookie under former head coach Ron Rivera, but posted an impressive 7.5 sacks in his debut campaign. He followed that with 9.0 quarterback takedowns in 2020 along with a career-high three forced fumbles.
The potent prospect would quickly become the perennial Pro Bowler, starting with a 9.0-sack year in 2021. Then, in 2022, he’d go on to notch bests in sacks (12.5), quarterback hits (22), pressures (68) and tackles for a loss (17) en route to his second straight all-star nod.
2023, however, wasn’t a typical campaign. Burns, while playing without a long-term guarantee and with multiple injuries, recorded just 8.0 sacks and 40 pressures—both the lowest totals since his rookie season.
As part of the deal, the Giants will sign Burns to a five-year deal worth a maximum of $150 million.
