4 critical observations from the Panthers shock win vs. Bucs in Week 7

Carolina Panthers must not trade Brian Burns

Carolina Panthers fans woke up to the news Sunday morning that the team had rejected a deal from an unnamed team to acquire star edge rusher, Brian Burns. The offer included two first-rounders and the rejection of it showed how valuable the defensive end is to this franchise.

Burns, who is a prime candidate to be extended in the offseason, is coming into his own. With the Panthers losing Haason Reddick in free agency, the onus was on him to be their premier rusher.

Through seven weeks the Panthers have 10 sacks. Burns accounts for half of those and he added another on Sunday, bringing down legendary quarterback Tom Brady in emphatic style.

Despite trading Christian McCaffrey on Thursday, talk of a fire sale has been quelled by those in the organization. It’s been reported nationally that Burns, along with Jaycee Horn and Derrick Brown, were the players garnering the most trade talk, but the Panthers saw these players as key building blocks for the future.

Rejecting a trade offer for Burns including a pair of first-round picks just underlines how much the team values him. After making his first Pro Bowl in 2021, it seems the former Florida State standout has taken a step in the right direction this offseason.

Burns has significantly improved his run defense, even going as far as tightly covering Cooper Kupp in Week 6 leading to a Donte Jackson pick-six.

The in-form pass-rusher is finally on track to get the elusive 10 sacks that eluded him in his career so far. If Burns can push up toward 15 sacks, he is in line for a big payday.