Ahead of a potential Dexter Lawrence trade, All-Pro edge rusher Brian Burns initially sounded hesitant about returning to the New York Giants.
Not only did Burns reverse course, but he already sounds thrilled to give John Harbaugh’s staff a chance.
Speaking on the “Giants Huddle” podcast, Burns offered extensive praise for first-year defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, who had previously coached for Harbaugh in Baltimore.
Wilson, a former standout safety at Maryland, spent the last two seasons as the Titans’ defensive coordinator.
“I like how intentional he is,” Burns said. “He gets exactly what he wants, what he’s looking for, out of the call. And [I] like that he takes all the gray area out so there’s no confusion. Everybody knows exactly what to do.
“That's something simple to say,” Burns continued, “but you know, it goes overlooked, that type of attention to detail."
The Giants are counting on Brian Burns to replicate last year’s success
Burns, who turned 28 in April, earned second-team All-Pro honors after setting career bests with 16 ½ sacks and 22 tackles for loss.
Thankfully for the Giants, Burns elected not to follow Lawrence in requesting a trade. Instead, he returns as the face and leader of an immensely talented Giants defense.
Outside of new linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, Burns is arguably the Giants’ only proven, reliable defensive starter. Veteran safety Jevon Holland is coming off a down season, though he typically played well over his four years with the Dolphins.
Potential isn’t the problem. We already know what Kayvon Thibodeaux can do, and Abdul Carter flashed as a rookie. All signs point to the Giants keeping Thibodeaux, at least to start the season, rather than trading him ahead of Week 1.
Wilson is tasked with cracking the code and turning those two into consistent weapons. He’s also tasked with helping Arvell Reese, the No. 5 pick and an All-American edge rusher at Ohio State, successfully move to inside linebacker.
Wilson’s experience and familiarity with Harbaugh should also help with the transition. The Giants have nearly 20 staffers who either coached for Harbaugh in the past or followed him directly from Baltimore.
Fair or not, some of that pressure falls on Burns, too. He’s a defensive captain and one of the team’s most accomplished players, regardless of position.
Jaxson Dart may command the team as the starting quarterback, but the Giants are also counting on Burns’ impact.
Now is the time to strike. The NFC East appears winnable, and the Giants aggressively upgraded their roster.
What better situation for Wilson to prove exactly why Harbaugh named him the defensive coordinator?
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