Monday Morning Thoughts: Pay the Man

Brian Burns making plays on the football field wasn't unexpected. But him actually playing in Sunday's season-opener was unexpected, to some degree. Burns even admitted in the locker room last night that "it got to a point" where he considered not playing as he and the team are still in contract negotiations.

He wasted very little time putting his mark on the game, ripping through the offensive line with ease to record a strip sack on the first series. On Atlanta's second possession, Burns met Frankie Luvu in the backfield for a split sack and then the very next play, he blew up Bijan Robinson on a pitch for a loss of six, forcing a Falcons punt.

Normally we would see Burns go from making the sack to right into the Spider-Man pose. Not in this game.

"It's been some time. It's been a time," Burns said. "That was raw emotion. Even the second one was raw emotion. Like you seen, I didn't do a pose today. I was pretty much just yelling. Now that I got it out of my system it's time to ball."

I understand contract negotiations are never easy, but at some point, the front office has to realize this man's worth and give him what he deserves. Burns hasn't discussed the specifics of the dispute, so there's no telling what the two sides can't agree on. Is it guaranteed money? Years of control? Built-in incentives? Something else? Who knows.

If it's guaranteed money they're bickering over, just give it to him. He's earned it. That is assuming his price tag is coming in right under Nick Bosa's $34M AAV (average annual value). He's played in 65 of the 67 possible games since entering the league, proving he takes tremendous care of his body and that to this point, injuries aren't a red flag.

This defense is nowhere near as good without number zero on the field. Pass rushers this talented and this skilled are hard to come by. They don't just grow on trees. And with how much of a passing league this has become, getting to the quarterback is vital. I'd argue that other than the quarterback, there's not a more important spot on the roster than having an elite pass rusher. With Bryce Young on a rookie contract, you have a four to five-year window of not having to pay your quarterback top-dollar money. Use that money on the guy that gives you the best chance to compete week in and week out on the defensive side.

Get it done now and put all of this in the past.

You can follow us for future coverage by liking us on Facebook & following us on X:

Facebook - @PanthersOnSI

Twitter - @AllPanthers_ and Schuyler Callihan at @Callihan_.