It's not every day a player making $141 million gets overlooked, but that's where New York Giants' star edge rusher Brian Burns finds himself. It's actually quite easy to get lost in the sauce when it comes to his talents — the G-Men have shiny new toys everywhere.
Burns has apparently taken the lack of attention to heart. After Wednesday's joint practice with the Jets, he told the media he's looking to take his game to a level it's never been before... which is equally awesome for Giants fans and terrifying for everyone else.
While training camp quotes like that typically hold little to no weight, this feels different. It boils down to practicing what you preach, and Burns explained he's been putting in extra work with Dexter Lawrence to become a more well-rounded player. How awesome is that? Not everyone has that mentality and growth mindset, and it already looks like it's translated to the field in one offseason. During their joint practices, Burns played like a man possessed and was the talk of camp.
Brian Burns has reinvented himself and it's already paying off
If Big Blue is going to be competitive this year, the one-time Pro Bowler is going to have to play a large role. Much has been said about this team's pass rush, but until the games matter, it's all talk... something Burns has already pushed aside.
General manager Joe Schoen swung a massive trade for the former Carolina Panther last offseason, then immediately signed him to a deal worth $141 million. Unfortunately, Year 1 didn't really go how anyone planned, and 8.5 sacks later, people sort of forgot about what made Burns a $141 million player in the first place.
Additionally, the additions of Abdul Carter and Chauncey Golston this offseason, along with Kayvon Thibodeaux's daily trade speculation, have seemingly swept the second-year Giant into the depths of irrelevance. But all of that changed. Turns out all he needed was an offseason of work and a joint practice against Big Blue's little brother.
No player on either team benefited from the joint practices more than the star edge rusher. He made Gang Green's offense miserable all day long. Their quarterback? Yup. Their offensive line? Undoubtedly. What about their rookie offensive linemen... did he take it easy on them? Absolutely not.
If these past two days have taught us anything, it's that a career year could very well be in store for one Brian Burns. On Wednesday alone, it was reported he had at least four sacks on Fields, bending the reality of what Giants fans' imaginations can comprehend.
Just in case you weren't sold on his heroics, here was social media's reaction to Burns' electric joint practice sessions:
With all the defensive talent from both teams, this is not nothing:
Brian Burns is by far the best defender on the field today for both teams.
— Chuck Knoxx (@chuckknoxx) August 13, 2025
You're gonna need a bigger hand...
Brian Burns is having a great practice … 4 “sacks” of Justin Fields in team drills today. Burns moving around the Giants’ D-line. #Jets
— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) August 13, 2025
Burns out there giving Armand Membou his "Welcome to the league" moment early and often:
Brian Burns is living in the backfield on pass plays. Membou having a rough go at it for the #jets
— Nick Shine (@NickShineShow) August 13, 2025
Confirmed: Brian Burns will not be misled by con artists:
Jets trying to do some trickery and ends with a Brian burns sack on Justin fields
— Neal (@ericgrayfan) August 13, 2025
I wonder if he's updated his USPS forwarding address:
Brian Burns has been in the backfield all day
— The Giant Insider Podcast and Newspaper (@GiantInsider) August 13, 2025
So, there you have it, folks. Burns has essentially transformed himself this offseason, and it's great stuff to see from the 27-year-old. He's clearly doing everything he can to take his talents to the next level, and if Tuesday and Wednesday's practices were any indication, he's going to be an absolute terror for opposing offenses.