Carolina Panthers Pro Bowl pass rusher Brian Burns looked like he was playing with a chip on his shoulder. 

In the Panthers' 24-10 loss to the Atlanta Falcons Sunday, Burns collected seven tackles and 1.5 sacks. He was explosive and disruptive. And if his "hold-in" didn't say it enough, his play on Sunday did — the Panthers are better if they pay him. 

But after the game, Burns said he wasn't playing with a contract on his mind. He wants everyone to know that his desire to play well is rooted solely in a need to dominate every time he steps on the field. 

"I've done what I needed to do, just being consistent," Burns said. "I'm just taking the next step in my game. I want to dominate." 

Panthers’ Brian Burns says he was not playing with a chip Sunday. “I was just taking the next step in my game. I want to dominate.” pic.twitter.com/zCOc5Kgp6R

— Joe Person (@josephperson) September 10, 2023

Burns was energetic in the first quarter against the Falcons. He was in the backfield and collected a monumental sack on 3rd-and-8, forcing the Falcons to punt. 

But it was clear at halftime the Falcons adjusted for Burns, who went quiet over the last two quarters. 

Still, Burns showed the Panthers another instance of why he is deserving of the money he is asking for. And he knows he is only scratching the surface of his abilities. In the words of Burns, he has the talent to "dominate" on nearly every defensive play. 

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Feature image via Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports.