Shaq Thompson believes Panthers will get deal done with Brian Burns

Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson isn’t holding his tongue regarding the contract dispute between Carolina and his teammate Brian Burns.

Over the course of his career thus far, the Panthers pass rusher has become one of the most feared defenders in the entire league. However, he still hasn’t been given a monster extension that many believe he’s earned at this point, and Burns is going to be seated until he gets paid.

Ahead of Week 1, with Burns not currently inked to an extension, Thompson made a plea to the front office to get a deal done.

“I don’t really like talkin’ about other people,” Thompson told reporters, per Panthers Wire. “Everybody here knows, everybody outside of here knows, everybody in the stands know, everybody above us knows what he deserves and what he should be gettin’ paid. And they know what to do to make it right before Week 1.”

Additionally, Thompson elaborated on how essential Burns is to the Panthers defense, and let it be known that he’s expecting the Carolina front office to “make it right.”

“Everybody upstairs better know he better be out there by Wednesday,” Thompson added. “He’s a big factor on the defense. He’s the one it really starts with. Him and Derrick [Brown] — there’s where it starts with. And they’ll make it right.”

Alas, Burns will likely be getting paid, and that’s a big deal for Carolina. It’s the only franchise he’s ever know, as the team 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, Thompson isn’t the only one believing Burns should be paid, as 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.”

It remains to be seen if Brian Burns is out there Week 1 with a new contract, but it seems as if there’s only one option for the Panthers — pay your superstar defender, and keep him in Carolina for the long run.