If one thing about the status of outside linebacker Brian Burns seems certain, it’s that he’ll be under some type of tie to the Carolina Panthers in the next few weeks.
After opening up yesterday, the window to apply this year’s crop of franchise tag runs until March 5. So even if the Panthers and Burns are unable to finally reach a long-term deal, the organization can keep him around with the one-year designation.
But would he be a certainty to stay around if that remains the case into the regular season? Not necessarily.
Burns can always be traded while on the tag, a prospect that could be of interest to a rebuilding organization looking to restock its resources for the future. And if that’s a possibility, here are six potential tag-and-trade suitors for the 25-year-old pass rusher: