Brian Burns shrugs off rivalry buzz ahead of Panthers matchup

You'd expect some fireworks when NY Giants defensive end Brian Burns lines up against his old team, the Carolina Panthers, in Germany this Sunday.

After all, the Panthers traded Burns to the Giants just months ago, despite his five stellar seasons and status as one of the league’s premier edge rushers. But Burns isn’t coming into this game with a chip on his shoulder or a need to “prove them wrong.” For him, this is strictly about business. There is no bad blood or extra theatrics, just a chance to help his new team snap a four-game losing streak and reinforce why the Giants invested so heavily in him.

It’s a refreshing perspective that speaks volumes about Burns’ focus, maturity, and vision for his role with the Giants, a team that has desperately needed stability on defense. Burns is locked in on helping New York find an identity in the trenches, and for him, that starts with not making this game about personal history or a need for redemption.

Instead, it’s a game he sees as a step toward building a defensive front that can compete week in and week out.

Brian Burns faces Carolina Panthers for first time since trade

Burns’ attitude is as refreshing as it is valuable to the Giants, who have faced turbulence on both sides of the ball this season.

Since the trade, Burns has been clear: he’s grateful to Carolina but sees his future in New York. “Business happened,” he said simply when asked if he felt any resentment toward the Panthers. That’s the mindset that New York needs right now.

Burns has proven himself to be one of the most consistent pass rushers in the league. His top-10 pass rush win rate is no fluke, he brings relentless pressure, and in a season where he’s faced multiple injuries, he’s shown up week after week for New York.

With five sacks and 35 pressures in nine games, he’s made an immediate impact, creating opportunities for players like Dexter Lawrence to thrive in the trenches. That workmanlike attitude is what makes him so valuable to the Giants, who have cycled through players and struggled to find defensive leaders capable of making lasting change.

If Burns can disrupt the Panthers’ backfield and get some big plays against Carolina, it’ll do more than boost his stat line, it’ll solidify his role as a foundational piece of New York’s defense. It’s exactly what GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll had in mind when they pushed to land him this offseason.

For Burns, this game against the Panthers is one he’s approaching with the same focus he’s shown since joining New York. “I’m happy where I am now,” he’s said, insisting that his goal is to get this defense on track, not to “stick it” to his former team. But a win over Carolina would certainly be a nice touch - a way to show that Burns has moved on and is ready to be the defensive force New York has needed for years.

If Burns can help New York end their skid before the bye, it could mark a turning point for this struggling team. The Giants have invested heavily in him, and he’s ready to deliver on that trust—not with talk, but with play that speaks for itself.

For New York fans, Sunday is a chance to see that Burns is the real deal and that maybe, just maybe, he can help bring stability and identity back to Giants football.

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