Your friendly neighborhood defensive end is becoming visibly frustrated. It’s not news that Brian “Spidey” Burns has expected a contract extension, and a big one, at that. Burns and the Panthers haven’t found common ground yet, and Burns is making it known he isn’t happy. We’ve waited for news that Burn would be made whole financially for months. He’s been a good soldier throughout, reporting to OTA and camp, unlike Nick Bosa, who sat out training camp to persuade the 49ers to make him the highest defensive-paid player in league history. Bosa’s tactics worked, and Burns still sadly waits for his extension.

The Contract Standoff

Burns has started to put some pressure on the Panthers in the last weeks. He sat out of practice last week and has been somewhat aloof as the Panthers prepare for the opening week. The discomfort is apparent, and we’re starting to wonder if he will suit up for week one against the Falcons.

Social Media Signals

Over the past two days, there have been some social media indications that Burns is unhappy with the negotiation process. His father commented that “Brian is definitely Not Happy” on a Panthers Instagram post featuring Burns. Then today, Burns took to Instagram himself, invoking his superhero persona, posting a picture of a lonely, sad Spider-Man.

Market Value Influence

Burns has wanted to be paid among the top-tier of defensive players. The Panthers, however, opened up negotiations with an offer reportedly of 23 million dollars, a number similar to Max Crosby’s extension last year. The two players have put up similar numbers since 2019. Crosby’s 36.5 sacks are comparable to Burns's 37 sacks. The Athletic’s Joe Person reported that Burns wasn’t impressed, noting that the two camps were far apart. One would have to believe that this was only the starting point for negotiations because of some key differences between Burns’s and Crosby’s circumstances. Burns was drafted in the 1st round and subject to playing on a 5th-year team option, while Crosby was a 4th round pick who negotiated his deal last season. There’s a natural inflation that comes with a year, and contracts like Crosby’s and now Bosa’s only lend towards that natural appreciation.

Some have speculated that negotiations have been in limbo while Burns waited for Nick Bosa to sign his extension, which would significantly inflate market value at the position. Bosa did ink his deal, and it was historic. Bosa’s 5-year, 170 million dollar contract, where 122.5 million is guaranteed, was a grander deal than anyone expected. Bosa will average 34 million a year, making the 23 million average the Panthers reportedly offered Burns seem meager.

Burns has been clear that he expects to be paid among the league’s top players at his position. Negotiations have slowed to a snail's pace based on the messaging Burns has provided on social media. We’ll continue to scour every post and news article, hoping to find a resolution soon. The Panthers need Burns on the field this season, which will likely require an agreeable extension.

By Tony Dunn
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