4 bold predictions for the Carolina Panthers after 2022 bye week
By Dean Jones
Brian Burns breaks Carolina Panthers sack record
The emergence of Brian Burns into a borderline elite pass-rusher this season is great to see. Those in power were expecting significant strides from the defensive end in 2022 after picking up his fifth-year option and deciding to turn down a whopping trade offer from the Los Angeles Rams – a test he has passed with flying colors.
Burns is a relentless force flying off the edge. He is combining exceptional speed with ever-improving power to dominate almost everyone he’s faced, reaching 10 sacks for the first time after taking Russell Wilson down twice in Week 12.
Now that the former Florida State stud reached one particular milestone, another is within reach. Burns needs 5.5 sacks to become Carolina’s single-season sack leader, which is currently shared by the late Kevin Greene and Greg Hardy on 15.
With only five games left, time is of the essence if Burns wants to put his name in the history books. More than one sack per game is required, but the 2019 first-round selection is riding on the crest of a wave right now, so this should stand him in tremendous stead moving forward.
Burns is going to be a very rich man this off-season. If he were to become Carolina’s single-season sack leader at just 24 years old, then a potentially record-breaking contract for defensive ends won’t be too far behind.