Brian Burns explains why he wanted to show up to Panthers camp without contract extension

Brian Burns wants a contract extension from the Carolina Panthers, but he’s not letting that deter him from attending training camp.

While some players may hold out for more money, Burns’ goals are bigger than that, as he explained to the media on Wednesday.

“Nah, I was going to show up,” Burns responded, asked if there was ever any doubt he’d be at training camp despite not signing a contract extension. “I would say mainly just because I missed it. I missed being with my defense. I kind of feel like what we’ve got going is bigger than, I don’t want to say like it’s bigger than my individual goals, because those matter of course, but I feel like what we’ve got building is bigger than that.

“I feel like I’m a key piece to what we need to get done, so I feel like I need to be here, whether or not I’m going through negotiations or whatever. But nah, it didn’t cross my mind to sit out.”

That’s pretty awesome from Burns, and a supremely team-first mentality. The franchise originally selected Burns with the No. 16 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Florida State, and he’s been everything they could have asked for ever since.

He ranks 11th in the league with 38 sacks since coming into the NFL. Additionally, Burns is coming off the best season of his career in 2022, finishing with career highs in tackles (63), tackles for loss (17), quarterback hits (22) and sacks (12.5). 

Continuing, former Panthers defensive end and team legend Mike Rucker recognizes the franchise has a star in the making in Burns. Earlier in the offseason, speaking with Alex Zietlow of The State, Rucker explained why Burns needs to be a “high-priority” for the franchise moving forward.

“I feel like when you look at this game over the years, it’s changed. You see there’s a premium on quarterbacks. And I think you see a premium on guys who can get after the quarterback,” explained the Panthers legend. “So once you identify one of those two positions — and there are other positions like corner, wide receiver, etc — both those two can dictate a game really quick. And we’ve seen it. 

“We’ve been on the good ends sometimes and the bad ends on the other, but those two positions are key, and him being one of those guys. And him being a young guy, who gives back, loves the game, respects the game — I would definitely think he’s a high priority for the organization.”

Everyone involved with the Panthers recognizes how important Brian Burns is, and he’ll get paid in the near future. He’s the perfect leader for a defense, and Carolina is lucky to have him.