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Every team has at least one trick up their sleeves before the start of training camp. And when it comes to the Carolina Panthers, theirs may be coming deep out of the pockets.
Pro Football Focus salary cap analyst Brad Spielberger recently named one trade, free-agent signing or extension each squad should make within the next few weeks. He took the obvious route for Carolina, choosing an extension for outside linebacker Brian Burns:
Burns’ 174 quarterback pressures over the past three seasons rank fourth among edge defenders, with his 13.1% pressure rate a top-25 mark despite there not being a lot of consistent pass-rush help across the roster otherwise.
With reports the Panthers turned down multiple first-round picks from the Los Angeles Rams for Burns at the 2022 trade deadline, they frankly should have already extended Burns by now, and there’s no reason they should let any other edge rusher get paid first and potentially boost the position market further.
Burns, who hinted towards talks of a new pact during mandatory minicamp, will be getting his own boost no matter what. In fact, NFL insider Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team suggested that the two-time Pro Bowler could get something close to Myles Garrett moolah.
But whatever the talented pass rusher ultimately gets, Spielberger is certainly correct. The Panthers cannot, especially after reportedly turning down a pair of first-rounders, botch Burns.
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