Brian Burns still feels “blessed” to be with the Giants after trade

Brian Burns didn't think he was traded from one rebuilding team to another.

When the Panthers and Giants reached a blockbuster deal in March, Burns hoped the move to New York meant more than just a five-year, $141 million extension.

Maybe he's finally moved past the phase of his career where he puts up big numbers but the team still loses.

Instead, Burns' old team and his new team both have a record of 2-7 heading into their meeting on Sunday in Germany.

“When you go into a new situation, you always want to look on the bright side of things,” Burns said after practice Wednesday. “But football is football and that’s how it works. Sometimes it depends on how the cards work. Overall, it’s still a blessed position to be in.”

Burns expected to spend his entire career with the Panthers, especially after they rejected a trade offer for two first-round picks from the Rams in 2022.

He was wrong, but this game won't be about proving the Panthers wrong for never completing an extension or bad-mouthing the friends he kept in Carolina.

“It’s not a revenge game. It’s just another game,” Burns said. “I personally have my own thoughts on this. But I won't make it any bigger [that] line and everything will revolve around it. I will prepare the same way and plan to get a win in Germany.”

Burns held a short rest before playing in 2023 with the option for a fifth year.

A general manager change occurred after the season, he was named to the franchise team to keep him out of free agency, and the Giants attempted to reinvent their identity by moving money from running back Saquon Barkley and safety Xavier McKinney redirected into the pass rush.

“I wouldn’t call it a surprise,” Burns said. “You could kind of sense which direction it was going.”

Giants general manager Joe Schoen and his Panthers colleague Dan Morgan are longtime friends and former colleagues whose families vacation together.

So, a second-round pick, a fifth-round pick, and an additional fifth-round pick swap, as well as the second-largest contract ever signed by an NFL edge rusher, made the trade happen.

“Business has been good,” Burns said. “I’m happy where I am now and I’m just trying to help this team win.”

It's a code that Burns and the Giants have struggled to crack, both individually and collectively.

Burns has 51 sacks since his rookie year in 2019 – the 11th most in the NFL – but a record of 25-64.

The Giants are 39-84-1 since 2017 but made the playoffs in 2022.

“It's difficult to compare the two simply because of the different variables in each situation,” Burns said.

“I have taken on a different role here. Since you come from a place where you were drafted, you work to become the leader of this defense. Getting into a situation where other leaders have already established themselves. It's a different path that you have to take to prove yourself. I feel like I’ve succeeded and been able to adapt.”

Burns has proven to be valuable.

He ranks No. 8 in ESPN's pass-rush win rate despite suffering groin and Achilles tendon injuries that cause him to limp in the locker room after games.

The Giants lead the NFL with 35 sacks as Burns' presence on the outside coincides with the best year of defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence's Pro Bowl career.

“As a talented playmaker and leader, he is a great addition to us,” said defensive co-captain Bobby Okereke. “He does things the right way – he plays with effort, intensity and great technique and fundamentals, which is a great example for the young guys. “It's a tough time for the teams playing us from a matchup standpoint. “

The Panthers used the main pick acquired for Burns to trade down, then used that return package to trade up, ultimately settling on the first running back off the board.

However, Jonathon Brooks has not yet made his season debut.

The Giants — who initially tried to take No. 47 for Burns but then had to forgo No. 39 — ultimately missed out on second-round cornerback targets Kool-Aid McKinstry (No. 41 to Saints) and Kamari Lassiter ( No. 42 to Texans) for the cost of landing Burns.

But head coach Brian Daboll feels no different now than he did when Schoen first mentioned in February that the Giants might acquire Burns.

“I said, 'Great,'” Daboll said. “I was excited that we got him. I appreciate his commitment and his style as a player and also as a person.”