Insider’s ‘price for everything’ claim amid Brian Burns trade speculation

Could another team come back with an offer the Carolina Panthers couldn’t refuse for star defensive end Brian Burns before the 2022 trade deadline?

The Carolina Panthers are looking to the future while also focusing on the now. Firing Matt Rhule and trading both Christian McCaffrey and Robbie Anderson left many fans wondering who would be next as the organization aims to acquire substantial draft capital and free up salary-cap space for their new head coach in 2023.

One player that’s received a significant amount of trade interest is Brian Burns. The former first-rounder is among the league’s most explosive edge rushers and seems to be taking his production to new heights this season despite the extra attention coming his way after the Panthers let Haason Reddick walk in free agency for the Philadelphia Eagles.

According to ESPN’s insider Adam Schefter, the Panthers have already turned down an offer consisting of two first-round selections for Burns. So it’s evident those in power view the Florida State product as a foundational piece for any future success.

Carolina Panthers could get another offer for Brian Burns

However, Ian Rappaport of the NFL Network has yet to rule out the possibility of Carolina shifting Burns for a king’s ransom before the November 1 deadline.

According to his trade deadline primer alongside fellow insiders Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero, Rappaport stated that the Panthers are still looking to keep Burns, and rightfully so. But a situation could emerge where the offer becomes so great that Carolina couldn’t turn it down.

"“The price on the uber-talented pass-rusher is high, with the Panthers turning down an offer of two premium picks recently. Their plan is to keep him and extend him — they already picked up his fifth-year option for $16.012 million in 2023 — in part to make sure the next head coach has plenty of talent to work with. That said, there is a price for everything and GM Scott Fitterer always takes the calls. Could a team increase the price to a point in which Fitterer would have no choice to trade Burns? There are two days to find out.”"

Burns is coming up to the final year of his rookie deal which will pay him a little over $16 million in 2023. But if the defensive end continues his exceptional run of form, his next deal could potentially be record-breaking for players at the position.

Elite pass-rushers don’t grow on trees. No amount of draft compensation changes that.

The Panthers should resist all temptation to trade away arguably their best defensive player. Especially if they manage to claim first in the NFC South with a victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8.

As the report suggested, there isn’t much longer to find out one way or another. And fans are likely looking forward to the deadline to finally put an end to the constant rumors swirling around their favorite players.

It would be jaw-dropping if Burns wasn’t with the Panthers long-term. His production on the field and leadership within the locker room are integral to this team moving forward, so trading him at this late stage is a bad message to send.

But only time will tell.