The seemingly imminent long-term agreement between Brian Burns and the Carolina Panthers may take a tad longer than expected.
ESPN senior NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler recently stopped by Spartanburg, S.C. to take in some of training camp. Amongst his many observations from Wofford College was this bit on the 25-year-old star:
Burns told me he’s not concerned with his contract but would love to stay in Carolina long term. He reported to camp because he wanted to show leadership. Sides are not close on a new deal. With Nick Bosa expected to put up a massive number on an extension with San Francisco, that could have a trickle-down effect on Burns, the proverbial next man up. Burns doesn’t seem hesitant to play out the last year of his rookie contract at $16 million guaranteed.
At this point, the hold on a pact between the sides is more of an external situation than an internal one. As Fowler notes, the two-time Pro Bowler eagerly reported to camp—even without having secured his bag.
So, for now, Burns and the Panthers will continue to wait for that market-setting domino out in San Francisco to finally fall.
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