3 Panthers players that can thrive under new coaching staff in 2023
By Dean Jones
Brian Burns – Carolina Panthers DE
After another season of high-quality production and a second-straight Pro Bowl appearance, Brian Burns could become a very rich man this off-season. The Carolina Panthers resisted a huge offer from the Los Angeles Rams before the trade deadline to keep hold of the defensive end, which puts the former Florida State stud in an incredibly strong bargaining position when negotiations begin.
Burns was the beating heart of Carolina’s pass rush in 2022. He is growing into a true three-down edge presence and enhancing his status as a vibrant leader within the locker room for good measure.
The Panthers need to surround Burns with better options. However, with Ejiro Evero moving to a 3-4 base scheme, the potential for another campaign of significant strides is well within the player’s capabilities.
Evero has already preached the importance of creating mismatches. Finding a weakness and exploiting it in pursuit of making things difficult for opposing offenses.
Make no mistake, Burns will be a huge part of this. Standing him up as a 3-4 outside linebacker, operating as a 3-4 defensive end, or even rushing from the second-level interior should all be contemplated by Evero thanks to the player’s elite explosiveness.