OFFICIAL NEWS: Panthers make a prediction of Trade key stars today.
NFL Insider Predicts Trade of Star Pass Rusher.
Brian Burns and the Carolina Panthers seem to be headed for a collision with the franchise tag. In recent memory, Carolina has had numerous chances to deal Brian Burns after having to rebuild for the last few years. At the 2022 trade deadline, Carolina reportedly offered the Los Angeles Rams two first-round picks in exchange for Burns, but Carolina declined. Later, when they moved up for the first-overall pick, the team chose to add D.J. Moore rather than Burns.
These moves suggest that although the two parties are unable to come to an agreement on a long-term contract, the Carolina Panthers still view Burns as a key contributor. The Panthers will use the franchise tag to prevent Brian Burns from entering the free market because he is scheduled to become a free agent. Instead of agreeing to a long-term contract, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated speculates that the Panthers may utilize the franchise tag to trade Brian Burns.
“I believe Burns and [Bengals wide receiver Tee] Higgins could be candidates for a tag-to-trade. For the past few years, Burns and the Panthers have not been able to come to a close long-term deal.Although losing a player of Brian Burns’ caliber is never ideal, the Panthers would be better off tagging and trading him. Carolina does not currently own a first-round pick and has $31 million in cap space. It will cost them $21.9 million in cap space if they apply the franchise tag to Burns. Carolina shouldn’t be spending this much money on one defensive player with all the needs on the attacking end of the field.
While on the franchise tag, Brian Burns is unable to catch passes for Bryce Young, but he can assist a competitor in winning football games. The Panthers would be able to afford to pursue free agents such as Michael Pittman if they traded him for a first-round selection. They could also use the Even though Brian Burns is on the franchise tag, multiple clubs should be prepared to part with selections for him, even though the Panthers may not need him at this time. These five clubs, in no particular order, might see him as the lone component needed for a deep playoff run.
