Jonathan Stewart Speaks on the Brian Burns Situation

It's gameday eve and we still don't have an idea as to whether or not Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Brian Burns will play in the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons.

He and the team have been in deep talks about a new contract, which is why Burns missed two of the last five practices. The longer this thing drags on, the more frustration there will be from everyone involved, from Burns, Fitterer, the rest of the front office, players, coaches, and fans.

Earlier this week on Bleav in Panthers, my co-host and former Panthers running back, Jonathan Stewart, gave his take on the situation.

"It's not a distraction. First of all, Brian Burns has gone about this the right way. Showing up to practice without a deal, knowing he should be having a deal come his way, and really putting his body at risk. He can get injured, there's a lot of things that could happen that could prevent him from ultimately getting his next big deal. As a player in the locker room, I'm looking at a guy that is well deserving of getting paid and getting paid as the top defensive end in the league.

"Without Burns on that defense, they're a different defense. You added a lot of pieces this offseason to strengthen that unit. You've got a lot of physical elements in this defense that makes Brian Burns really special this year. I understand it's a business, guys in the locker room understand it's a business. It's just unfortunate that it's taking this long for certain parties make decisions on what's going to happen."

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