On Tuesday evening, the United Way of New York (UWNYC) held its annual fundraising event. The 33rd Gridiron Gala was held at the New York Hilton Midtown. UWNYC is in partnership with the New York Giants and New York Jets. Together, they help low-income New Yorkers across all five boroughs. Last night, one member of the New York Giants’ defense received a special award.
Three-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns was honored as a 2026 Hometown Hero by UWNYC. ESPN’s Jordan Raanan noted several teammates showed up to support Burns. At the Gridiron Gala, Paul Schwartz of the New York Post spoke with the Giants captain. Schwartz asked Burns if he feels this is “his defense?” The 28-year-old said, “That’s how I’m kinda looking at it.”
With Dexter Lawrence gone, Brian Burns embraces his leadership on the New York Giants defense
What has Brian Burns done to be in this position?
The Carolina Panthers used the 16th pick in the 2019 NFL draft to draft Brian Burns out of Florida State. He spent the first five seasons of his professional career with Carolina. His top year with the Panthers was his 2022 campaign. Burns started 16 of the team’s 17 games and finished with 12.5 sacks. At the time, that was a career-high. After the 2023 season, Carolina traded Burns to the New York Giants. In return, they received a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick.
Upon New York’s acquisition, Burns received a five-year, $150 million extension. That included $87.5 million guaranteed. The veteran linebacker finished with 8.5 sacks in 2024. However, he would take his production to another level for the New York Giants defense in 2025. Burns finished with a career-high 16.5 sacks. He started all 17 games for the Giants.
Last season was a breakout campaign for Burns. The Giants need that type of production from the veteran defender moving forward. After he was named a captain in New York for the first time in 2025, he wore it with pride. Ahead of the 2026 season, Burns has not been shy about his role on the New York Giants’ defense for next year and beyond.
Brian Burns is the only captain returning to the New York Giants defense in 2026
In total, New York had five captains in 2025. Only two of those five, Darius Slayton and Burns, are still on the team. Two of the three players who are no longer on the team were defenders. That included Dexter Lawrence, who was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals for the 10th pick in the 2026 draft. Additionally, Bobby Okereke was released by the Giants in early March. Without Lawrence or Okereke on the roster, Burns will be the only defensive captain returning under John Harbaugh.
Additionally, he is the longest-tenured defensive starter per Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. With the pieces on the roster for 2026, Burns is undoubtedly one of New York’s top players. Overall, the New York Giants’ defense was below average in 2025. However, players like Burns kept the team competitive.
The New York Giants defense has added talent ahead of 2026
There is no denying that Burns was New York’s most valuable player defensively in 2025. His ability to rush the passer and speed up quarterbacks was elite. Under Harbaugh, the Giants are eager to build a yearly contender. To do so, the team needed to add talent to its defense. New York has done that in several ways.
First, the Giants used the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to select Ohio State’s Arvell Reese. He is expected to play linebacker next to Tremaine Edmunds. The veteran was a free agent signing by the Giants this offseason. Edmunds has started all 119 games he’s appeared in over eight professional seasons.
The Giants have also added several interior defensive linemen to the roster after trading Lawrence to the Bengals. New York has signed DJ Reader, Shelby Harris, and Leki Fotu. On top of that, they drafted Bobby Jamison-Travis out of Auburn in the sixth round. ESPN’s Field Yates believes Jamison-Travis can be a rotational piece in year one.
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images