New GM Could Provide Hope in Brian Burns Contract Talks

The Panthers' elite pass rusher is set to hit free agency this offseason.

Change is coming for the Carolina Panthers and it could be coming for outside linebacker Brian Burns who is set to enter the offseason as an unrestricted free agent.

Burns and the Panthers have spent the last two offseasons negotiating a new contract but have failed to come anywhere close on a deal. With the recent firing of general manager Scott Fitterer, it could provide a clean slate in the contract talks between the two sides. However, if interim GM Dan Morgan is awarded the full-time job or remains a part of the front office, that may change things given that he was a part of Fitterer's staff.

Carolina Panthers GM Search Tracker

Within the next week or so, the Panthers should have a new GM in place and after they decide on a head coach, that GM's first priority should be to make progress on getting a deal done with Burns. Elite pass rushers don't grow on trees and it can be difficult for a defense to play at a high level without one.

If it were completely up to Burns, he would stay put.

"That's the plan. Ain't no telling what's going to happen," Burns said when asked if he wants to remain in Carolina. "I just know they got a lot of stuff to do -- they got a lot of stuff to figure out. I don't think I'm number one on that list right now. Best thing I can do is be ready. If it do turn out that they do want to keep me here and I stay, I'm ready. And if it turns out I have to go somewhere else, I'm definitely ready for that too. As long as I'm ready in any angle, I'll be fine.

"If they do keep the core of my guys on the defense together...there's so much that we didn't get to do that I want to do with those guys. But like I said, it's a business. It could go any which way, so I just got to be ready and control what I can control."

Through his first five seasons in the NFL, Burns has recorded 246 tackles, 95 QB hits, 59 tackles for loss, 46 sacks, eight forced fumbles, and a pair of fumble recoveries.

Jaycee Horn Hopes Carolina Can Keep 'Super Bowl Defense' Together & Turn Things Around

You can follow us for future coverage by liking us on Facebook & following us on X:

Facebook - @PanthersOnSI

X - @AllPanthers_ and Schuyler Callihan at @Callihan_.