Franchise Tag a 'Near Certainty' for Brian Burns

The clock is ticking for the Carolina Panthers and star pass rusher Brian Burns to get a long-term deal done. The NFL's deadline to use the franchise tag designation is set for Tuesday, March 5th at 4 p.m. EST.

Panthers GM Dan Morgan told reporters last week that he would be meeting with Burns' agent, Todd France, in Indianapolis to continue talks.

When asked about the possibility of applying the franchise tag, Morgan responded, "Yeah, I think we would use it. We would definitely use it if we had to use it. We love Brian. Brian's a Panther. Somebody that I know and that I'm close to. I played with his brother. I definitely love Brian, but all options are on the table for him."

Early Sunday morning, Dan Graziano of ESPN reported, "It's a near certainty the Panthers will use the franchise tag on edge rusher Brian Burns while trying to get a long-term deal done with him."

This come as no surprise and it shouldn't be taken as if the two sides aren't speaking the same language in these negotiations. They could be in the same neighborhood but with Brandt Tilis recently being hired as the organization's Executive VP of Football Ops, it may take a little time for him to work his cap magic.

Tilis was the main orchestrator in contract negotiations for the Kansas Chiefs from 2017-23 and had a hand in the 10-year, $450 million contract extension awarded to QB Patrick Mahomes.

Burn repeatedly stated his desire to remain in Carolina throughout the 2023 season and doubled down on that wish in his exit interview.

"That's the plan. Ain't no telling what's going to happen," Burns said when asked if he wants to remain in Carolina. "I just know they got a lot of stuff to do -- they got a lot of stuff to figure out. I don't think I'm number one on that list right now. Best thing I can do is be ready. If it do turn out that they do want to keep me here and I stay, I'm ready. And if it turns out I have to go somewhere else, I'm definitely ready for that too. As long as I'm ready in any angle, I'll be fine."

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