Burns' Trade Value is One Third-Round Pick?

It's pivotal that the Panthers get a long-term deal done with Brian Burns.

Earlier this week, the Carolina Panthers placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on pass rusher Brian Burns giving him an offer of $24 million for the 2024 season. 

While having the tag, Burns is still able to negotiate with other teams on a potential deal. If he and another club agree to terms, the Panthers have the right to match the offer and keep him. If they decline to match the offer, the club he signs with will need to send Carolina a pair of first round picks. 

Thursday afternoon, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports provided some insight on the current situation surrounding Burns on X.

"Regarding Carolina’s current situation with Brian Burns, a league source told me in their opinion, that the Panthers should adapt better to present circumstances in order to potentially consummate a trade. The source said in their view it’s a double whammy to pay huge money for a player, and also give huge Draft compensation to the other team for a deal. They added, the time to get more draft picks was when the player has years left on their deal; but if the player is in their last year—the other team has to be prepared to keep the player, or take less. 

"I’ve heard some league sources say third-round compensation is fair for Burns if the acquiring team is also giving him a long-term deal, but that asking for 1-Plus is definitely too much for them."

Trading Burns away for a lone day two pick isn't going to cut it. That may be what some around the league feel is fair, and I understand it. However, if you're the Panthers, you can't move off of Burns for a third round pick over a difference of a few million bucks. 

Burns is not just an elite pass rusher and heart and soul of the Carolina defense, but he's been extremely durable to this point. He's missed a grand total of three games in five years with the organization. If you want to be taken seriously by the rest of the league, you need to keep guys like Burns on your roster.

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