Though Brian Burns vowed to put contract talks on hold and focus on football, the latest chapter in the Burns saga may spell a worrying future for the star pass rusher. 

On Saturday, Burns was asked about the reality that he may be facing a midseason trade if he and the Panthers can not come to terms on a long-term extension. It would be a horrific outcome to contract negotiations that, at one point in the summer, felt like a guarantee. 

Yet, for Burns, a two-time Pro Bowler, if a trade is the way everything plays out, he's at peace with that reality. 

“I ain’t think about it too deeply,” Burns said. “If that’s my story, that’s my story. I can’t really control that. Yeah, that’s all I got to say about that one.”

The Panthers haven't been able to come to terms on a contract extension for Burns. He believes he should be paid in the Nick Bosa range of $30-million-plus per year. The Panthers don't view Burns in the same light. 

The organization has said repeatedly that they are seeking a contract for Burns in the $23-$25-million range — a number Burns feels isn't his maximum value. 

Burns is playing out the last year of his rookie contract. If a deal isn't reached with the Panthers by season's end, Burns can hit the market and garner bids from teams around the league. 

There is a market around the NFL for players like Burns. Though, at times, he has been characterized as a one-dimensional player, he still has the potential to take over games for drives at a time. 

Take the first quarter of Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons. Burns was a game wrecker until Atlanta attempted to schematically pull him out of the game. 

Against the New Orleans Saints in primetime, Burns has another opportunity to prove to the organization that he is worth a long-term extension.

However, hovering over the situation is the reality that Burns and the Panthers may not get a deal done — making a trade the next-best outcome. And though Burns hasn't thought about the outcome of a trade, he appears open to that reality if it comes his way. 

Panthers Brian Burns’ contract tension grows: ‘If he’s not there, I’m not worried about it’

Initially, Brian Burns, the Carolina Panthers’ two-time Pro Bowler, didn’t want to hold out.

Brian Burns places contract talks on ‘hold’; focusing on his play on the field instead

Carolina Panthers star Brian Burns is putting his contract talks on hold to focus on his play on the field.

Feature image via Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports.