Brian Burns places contract talks on 'hold'; focusing on his play on the field instead
Heading into a Monday night matchup with the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers defensive leader Brian Burns doesn't want to talk about the one thing on everyone's mind — his contract. Through the contract drama that ushered the Panthers into the 2023 regular season, Burns has remained level-headed. And despite the lack of a long-term extension, […]
Heading into a Monday night matchup with the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers defensive leader Brian Burns doesn't want to talk about the one thing on everyone's mind — his contract.
Through the contract drama that ushered the Panthers into the 2023 regular season, Burns has remained level-headed. And despite the lack of a long-term extension, Burns isn't letting it take him away from his on-field assignment, even with the lack of progress between the two sides.
"We haven't really been in talks,'' Burns said Saturday. "I told them once the season started I'm all about ball. I can't give a thousand percent on the field and to my teammates if I'm still worried about contract negotiations.
"I feel like I owe that to them to be 100 percent, a thousand percent at all times.''
The Burns saga reached a climax after Nick Bosa earned a record-setting deal with the San Francisco 49ers. In the Summer, Burns said he wants to be paid in the same echelon as the uber-elite pass rushers in the NFL.
The Panthers have remained adamant that they want to resign Burns but not at a market-reset price.
But where Burns does have control is continuing to play at an elite level, despite the uncertainty around whether he will get the contract he is looking for.
"That's always a goal,'' Burns said of his first-ever Monday night game. "In these prime-time games, everybody's watching. It's always a goal to show them what you can do and put the league on notice.
"But I want to put the league on notice more from a defensive standpoint than just myself. I want them to know how we are on defense.''
Setting the stage for Monday night. Heading into the game, the Panthers injury report has been rather lean — which is a good thing.
Carolina is expected to get back starting wide receiver DJ Chark, who missed the opener with a hamstring injury.
Jaycee Horn will be out for the foreseeable future due to his non-contact injury sustained in Week 1. Carolina also will be without starting left guard Brady Christensen, who suffered a season-ending triceps injury against Atlanta. Reich said his starting guards will be Cade Mays and Chandler Zavala.
Burns is without a contract but eager to play. And the health of the Panthers wide receiver room is coming around. The stage is set for a prove-it game for Bryce Young and company. Panthers head coach Frank Reich surely needs it.
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Feature image via Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports.
