Carolina defensive end Brian Burns, who would look good with the 49ers
There has been a healthy level of success thus far with the Carolina-to-San Francisco pipeline. So why not keeping it going, with something “massive”? One team insider is suggesting that the 49ers, a focal point of NFL trade rumors, go after Panthers star pass rusher Brian Burns, who may be available as 0-6 Carolina seeks to rebuild.
Sure, the 49ers are loaded up on pass rushers, and, sure, the team did just make a deal for Denver’s Randy Gregory. But this team has a Super-Bowl-or-bust mentality, so leaning into an area of strength in the coming days before the deadline is not off the table.
Here is how the San Francisco Chronicle’s 49ers beat reporter Eric Branch laid it out in suggesting this trade: “How about a massive swing? As in: Brian Burns. The Pro Bowl edge rusher is employed by the likely-to-be-selling 0-6 Panthers and is playing on his fifth-year option after not signing a contract extension with Carolina.
“Would the 49ers consider possibly dealing a first-round pick for a potential half-season rental? That would be a steep price. But they recently gave up a boatload to acquire the Panthers’ elite player at the deadline.
The 49ers had a successful business with Carolina
Of course, the last Panthers-49ers trade happened last year when the rumors came true when Carolina sent former Stanford cornerback Christian McCaffrey to the Bay Area for a package of the 49ers’ second, third and fourth round picks in 2023. and their fifth round pick in next year’s draft.
There was no first-round pick at the time, but Branch speculates that would require getting Burns from Carolina. As we know, the 49ers can pay Burns’ $16.1 million salary (he has a fifth-year option) because San Francisco has the most cap space in the league at the deadline.
According to Spotrac, the 49ers have $43.2 million in cap space and the team restructured several contracts over the summer. The 49ers didn’t renew those contracts just to lead the league in tackles — they did it to have the flexibility to acquire a star at the deadline.
They’d likely lose Burns in free agency next March, but if they win a Super Bowl … does that matter?
0-6 Carolina Open to Trading Burns
Burns is, possibly, an available star. He has been to the Pro Bowl the last two seasons, and recorded 12.0 sacks last year. He has 4.0 sacks this year, and Pro Football Focus has him with a 77.2 pass-rushing grade, 19th among edge rushers. The Panthers were not able to lock up Burns on a contract extension, so a new locale could be in order. Last year, the Panthers turned down an offer from the Rams that included two first-round picks for Burns. His price is still stiff, but due to the contract situation, the price has come down.
“Burns is playing out his $16.012 million five-year option with the undefeated Panthers, and we imagine he wouldn’t mind a change of scenery,” Pro Football Focus wrote of Burns in identifying picks.
“It also makes sense for Carolina to get some money back after trading quarterback Bryce Young because they don’t currently have a 2024 first-round pick or a 2025 second-round pick. They could get both back in one move, though the package. with two firsts and a second likely disappeared.”
Sean Deveney is a veteran NBA and NFL sports reporter for Heavy.com. He has written for Heavy since 2019 and has more than two decades of NBA experience, including 17 years as Sporting News’ NBA editor. Deveney is the author of seven non-fiction books, including Fun City, Before Wrigley Became Wrigley and Facing Michael Jordan. Learn more about Sean Deveney
