Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants is accessible to stream on Max and airs on HBO on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET until July 30. It doesn’t hurt to ask questions sometimes. The signing of Brian Burns by Giants general manager Joe Schoen this summer strengthened New York’s pass rush, and it all started with an apparently informal chat with Panthers general manager Dan Morgan on the practice field during this year’s Senior Bowl. Watch Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants, which premieres Tuesday night, for a behind-the-scenes look at the events leading up to the Giants’ trade for Burns.
It all began with Schoen asking Morgan if the Panthers had any interest trading into the first round for the Giants’ No. 6 overall pick. Morgan quickly declined, saying, “If I’m going anywhere, it’s going back.” But he’d soon let Schoen know that the Panthers’ franchise-tagged pass rusher was certainly available.
You wanna give us two ones for Burns?” Morgan asked.
That question piqued Schoen’s interest as he let out a mouthwatering “Ooh!” His excitement led to early talks of what would soon become a blockbuster trade.
“No. I mean, yes, but…,” Schoen sheepishly replied.
“Or a one and something,” Morgan haggled.
“OK,” Schoen said. “You’re headed in the right direction.”
One month later, the Giants traded 2024 second- and fifth-round selections (Nos. 39 and 141 overall, respectively) and a 2025 conditional fifth-rounder to the Panthers for Burns and a 2024 fourth-round pick (No. 166). New York quickly locked in Burns for the long haul upon acquiring the linebacker, signing him to a five-year, $150 million contract.
A long-term deal was certainly part of the Giants’ trade discussions for Burns, who’d been on the market dating back to last year as negotiations with the Panthers hit a continuous rut.
In the end, all parties involved seemingly found a resolution and the Giants have no doubt turned their defensive front into a bona fide strength for the foreseeable future.
