It's safe to say the New York Giants didn't have much go right in 2024. In arguably the worst season in the franchise’s 100-year history, the G-Men need upgrades basically everywhere if they want to right the ship in 2025. A lot of bodies need to step up.
One of those bodies is two-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Brian Burns. The seven-year vet had a solid first year in New York after being acquired via trade — 8.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss — and helped form a terrifying duo alongside Dexter Lawrence. But after the Giants’ 3-14 season, it’s fair to assume a lot of people forgot Burns is even on the roster.
Kayvon Thibodeaux regressed after his 11.5-sack 2023 campaign, but in theory, those three should still be more than enough to give opposing quarterbacks nightmares.
But there’s another newcomer who could take this pass rush from dangerous to straight-up diabolical. His name is Abdul Carter, and he might be the key to unlocking the full force of this pass rush. Burns was plenty good last year. But his first season in the Big Apple might be nothing compared to what’s coming next.
NFL analyst expects major improvements for Brian Burns in 2025
It's obvious Marc Ross of NFL.com agreed with the sentiment. He thought Burns could be in for a massive year based on the arrival of Carter, who just might be the best pass-rushing prospect the league has seen in years.
"But I guarantee the two-time Pro Bowler's production will vastly increase with Abdul Carter's arrival," Ross wrote. "The No. 3 overall draft pick is the most talented pass pusher to enter the league since Micah Parsons in 2021, and Carter's impact on the Giants defense is likely to be similar to the one the four-time Pro Bowler has made in Dallas."
"Burns will surely face his share of double-teams, but he should regularly feast when presented with one-on-one matchups, leading me to think a double-digit sack and Pro Bowl campaign are on tap for the seventh-year pro."
If Ross is even close to right, that could mean everything for Big Blue. Burns turning the corner into a true game-wrecker would be more than just a personal bounce-back — it could mark a real shift in the team’s rebuild.
Because here’s the reality: if the pass rush doesn’t take over in 2025, it’s hard to see head coach Brian Daboll or general manager Joe Schoen sticking around to try again in 2026. They need a signature strength to hang their hats on, and with this much talent up front — Burns, Lawrence, Thibodeaux, and now Carter — there’s no excuse not to dominate.
If Burns breaks out the way many expect, the league’s going to realize too late the G-Men were sitting on the star that could bring them back into the fold.
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