If there’s been one constant through the New York Giants’ chaos these past few seasons, it’s the feeling that the roster was always one foundational piece short. Draft swings, odd free-agent bets, and inconsistent coaching left the team searching for something stable to anchor the defense. This year, they finally found that presence in Brian Burns.
The Giants’ roster construction hasn’t been flawless. Poor coaching undermined development at multiple positions, which is a major reason Brian Daboll is gone and general manager Joe Schoen remains in evaluation mode. But Schoen’s boldest move — landing Burns in a trade with Carolina — is already aging like a franchise-changing decision.
Brian Burns, NFL: Los Angeles Chargers at New York Giants
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Burns has delivered exactly what the Giants paid for
New York sent the Panthers a 2024 second-round pick, a 2025 fifth-rounder, and a fifth-round pick swap to secure Burns, then immediately committed to him long-term with a five-year, $141 million contract. Purchases like that come with expectations, and Burns has done everything to exceed them.
As we head into Week 12, Burns has already racked up 13 sacks — a career high — and he’d be leading the NFL if Myles Garrett hadn’t gone nuclear over the past few weeks. Even with the Giants struggling, Burns has been a weekly constant, a player whose get-off, bend, and explosion routinely wreck opposing game plans.
The tape shows it. So does the effort. Burns has fought through multiple injuries this season, but you wouldn’t know it from the way he plays. He’s become the rare player who treats every snap like a tone-setting moment, and that’s exactly the kind of standard this locker room has needed.
A leader formed in tough environments
Burns’ career hasn’t been spent on contenders. Carolina put him through years of uncertainty, turnover, and losing streaks, yet his play never dipped. That resilience has translated seamlessly to a Giants team working through its own growing pains.
New York desperately needed someone who could raise the baseline of its defense regardless of chaos around him. Burns brings that. He’s not just a sack artist; he’s a worker, a steadying force, and a voice capable of holding teammates accountable.
In a season that has been defined by coaching upheaval and frustrating results, Burns has become one of the franchise’s true bright spots.
NFL: Green Bay Packers at New York Giants
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The future looks different with Jaxson Dart and a new staff incoming
The Giants believe they’ve found their quarterback in Jaxson Dart, whose poise and talent have energized the organization. The next step is finding a head coach who can maximize the roster instead of dragging it down, and Burns will be a central figure in establishing that new culture.
His presence gives the next coach something invaluable: a true defensive cornerstone who can tilt the field and set the tempo. Pass rushers like Burns are the engines of modern defenses, and he’s already playing like an All-Pro in 2025.
A franchise pillar emerging at the perfect time
The Giants haven’t had many dependable building blocks lately, but Brian Burns is changing that narrative. He’s dominating statistically, elevating teammates with his attitude, and playing through the adversity that swallowed this franchise for years.
The Giants still have a long climb ahead, but having a premier pass rusher in his prime — one who’s performing at an All-Pro level — gives them a real foundation. Burns has lived up to every bit of his contract, and he’s positioned to be one of the defining players of the team’s next era.
If the Giants do find the right head coach, Burns will be one of the biggest reasons the turnaround finally takes hold.