Giants GM Swings For the Fences, Landing Franchise DE Brian Burns
New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen delivered a seismic trade capable of helping fans forget about that ex-running back who left for a rival team.
The New York Giants defense received a major upgrade after acquiring franchise DE Brian Burns, 25, from the Carolina Panthers via trade Monday afternoon.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 01: Brian Burns #0 of the Carolina Panthers leaves the field after a loss against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of America Stadium on October 01, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Schoen orchestrated a huge contract extension to land Burns, agreeing to sign the star pass rusher on a new five-year deal, worth $150 million ($87.5 million guaranteed).
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo announced the blockbuster trade that landed New York a premier edge defender to compound an already-lethal defensive line.
Burns essentially confirmed the news on social media.
In the past four seasons, Burns has amassed 38.5 QB sacks and 221 combined tackles. He joins elite defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and the rising Kayvon Thibodeaux on the Giants' ascending defensive line, ready to elevate the unit as the Giants' key to success after Saquon Barkley.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 09: Brian Burns #53 of the Carolina Panthers waits for a timeout to end in the second quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Bank of America Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
Schoen gave up a second and fifth-round draft pick to acquire Burns — a tremendous bargain considering the Rams reportedly offered two first-rounders and a second-rounder for Burns in 2022, which Carolina declined. Burns and Carolina have been at odds in past seasons as the former requested trades out of the rebuilding regime.
While Caroline opts to go all-in on developing around quarterback Bryce Young, the Giants pivot toward bolstering their new defense led by first-year defensive coordinator Shane Bowen.
After the first major wave of transactions, the Giants focused on key needs like offensive line and upping their pass rush.
New York also added free-agent guard Jermaine Eluemunor. They signed the former Raider to a two-year, $14 million deal. Eluemunor re-teams with offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo, who coached Las Vegas' O-line last year.
Without much of an identity on offense, the Giants and Schoen decided to maximize their free agency spending on a premium defender.
By welcoming another first-round rusher worth his salt to New York, Joe Schoen helped wash out the bad taste from Saquon Barkley's move to the Philadelphia Eagles. There's still plenty of work left to rebuild this NFC East squad, but Schoen's taking the right measures to reintegrate a traditional sense of winning New York Giants football.
Right as the Giants front office appeared derelict, they swung for the fences and landed a star.
Follow along on X:@AlejandroAveela