With the future of Brian Burns' long-term contract still in question, the Carolina Panthers have been adding depth to the edge. 

That is why they added veteran Justin Houston on Sunday. The hope is that he provides adequate assistance to Burns. But recently, Kobe Jones, a former practice squad player and an undrafted free agent in 2021, gave some insight into what will make the edge rushers on the Panthers special in 2023. 

"None of us look at it as competition within each other, but more so within ourselves," Jones said to Augusta Stone of the Panthers team website. "We're all just really competing to be the best us, and of course, those other talented guys beside us are pushing us to another degree to get that done."

The position group Jones is talking about includes names like Marquis Haynes Sr., Yetur Gross-Matos, and Amaré Barno. 

The group doesn't see training camp as a period in which they are competing with each other. That is far from the reality Jones expressed. Instead, they are learning from one another, trying to create the pass-rush possible because they know the team's success, and the success of the defense, hinges on the Panthers being able to get to the quarterback. 

Throughout the 2022 season, the Panthers sat in the middle of the pack regarding pass rush defense. Much of that is thanks to Burns, who was the team's lone Pro Bowl representative. 

But this offseason, the Panthers tried to build a pass rush that isn't solely reliant on Burns being a supernova star to produce sustainable production. 

Jones, a former practice player attempting to make the roster, knows that to be great, those competing for spots on the team can't look at each other as opponents but as individuals using each other to be great. 

Brian Burns on playing in 3-4 defense: ‘It’ll showcase my IQ more’

Two-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns is looking at, for the first time in his NFL career, a change of roles.

Feature image via Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports.