Brian Burns, the Carolina Panthers' lone Pro Bowl representative last season, is involved in contract negotiations as he looks for long-term security following the expiration of his rookie contract. 

Many didn't expect Burns to arrive at training camp without a long-term contract, but the defensive star didn't wait for a contract. He missed football too much to hold out. Instead, he showed up, even as Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer explained that the two sides still weren't close to a workable extension. 

Now, after the first day of pads at training camp, Panthers head coach Frank Reich is giving Burns more leverage in contract negotiations — he's readily admitting the pass rusher does everything great. 

“I mean, I’m still gettin’ to know Brian, but my sense is he doesn’t have 50 percent in him," Reich said Monday. "He’s a competitor. I think we all know that and feel that. So, respect the way he’s been approachin’ this. I’ll leave the contract stuff to Scott [Fitterer] to handle and I’m just worried about coachin’ the guys out here. But it just seems like he’s taking a very professional approach to it. And it makes a lot of sense, and good for him.”

It is impressive that Burns, who went through offseason ankle surgery, is choosing to show up when he is in line for a massive payday. Typically, NFL players would avoid any chance of torpedoing their value ahead of contract negotiations. Yet, that is not how Burns is wired. 

He wants to compete. 

Ahead of Burns is a shift from a 4-3 base defense to a 3-4. That means Burns will no longer be putting his hands in the dirt, instead, he will start at outside linebacker. 

He recently said that playing in the new base defense gives him an opportunity to show his football IQ. He also said that the shift in the defensive scheme is something that he is looking forward to. That may have played a part in his willingness to play amid contract negotiations. He wanted to show the franchise just how valuable he is to what they play to do on defense. 

Still, Reich has only added leverage and ammunition to Burns' side of the negotiating table. It'll be hard for the Panthers to try and lowball Burns if he is producing and giving his all to every drill. 

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Feature image via Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports.