3 reasons Brian Burns shouldn’t be included in Deshaun Watson deal

Brian Burns should not be included in any potential trade package that brings Deshaun Watson to the Carolina Panthers.

There continues to be plenty of speculation surrounding Deshaun Watson and a possible trade to the Carolina Panthers. He is reportedly priority No. 1 for the organization as they look to get an upgrade on quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, although the Houston Texans aren’t being the most accommodating to any teams calling with a potential offer.

Getting someone like Watson to Carolina is going to cost an extraordinary amount, which will begin with multiple first-round picks and also include a couple of talented players thrown in for good measure.

Both Peter King of Pro Football Talk and Peter Schrager from Good Morning Football both touted the possibility of the Texans possibility wanting defensive end Brian Burns in any potential deal, which is understandable considering they recently granted J.J. Watt’s release after a glittering career with the organization.

This didn’t exactly go down well with large sections of Carolina’s fanbase on social media on Tuesday and with good reason. Burns is an electrifying edge rusher who has the world at his feet, with the player making some enormous strides during the 2020 campaign after showing flashes of brilliance as a rookie.

With this in mind, here are three reasons why Burns should not be included in any trade package Carolina puts together for Watson in the coming weeks if the Texans start taking calls.

Reason No. 1

Burns is a franchise cornerstone

What would be the point in bringing Deshaun Watson to the Carolina Panthers if they were forced to basically start from scratch?

Players like the signal-caller don’t become available in their prime – and Houston still might make things extremely difficult – but sacrificing a number of quality playmakers together with high-end draft picks over the next few years is a massive gamble no matter how good Watson is.

The former Clemson star is reportedly not willing to be traded onto a team that has to gut their roster to acquire him. Brian Burns is a focal point of any success that comes Carolina’s way on defense and one could argue he is just as vital to the organization’s plans for progression as someone like Christian McCaffery at this juncture.