It was just after 5 p.m. on Wednesday, and Brian Burns didn’t know what he was feeling.
It had been a whirlwind few days, and minutes before that, he had just signed a five-year contract worth $141 million to play for the Giants.
His first five NFL seasons were spent with the Panthers, and Monday’s trade sent him to a new city, a new team and a new chapter in his career.
Sitting in the Giants’ facility, he described the moment as “still a little surreal” as his family shared their big day inside the building.
“And right now I’m overwhelmed with a lot of emotions,” he said. “I’m so excited to be here once it’s processed. I’m all over the place right now. I’m a little dizzy.”
This is an apt expression of how the Giants and their fans feel.
It wasn’t long after news broke that star running back Saquon Barkley was going to the hated Eagles and starting safety Xavier McKinney was signing with the Packers, which of course wasn’t unexpected news, but the Giants’ upcoming completed a complex transaction to acquire a player scheduled to be acquired in 2017. The 26-year-old made a pass that sent the defensive end into the fold.
The Giants sent Carolina a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick, and the teams exchanged a 2024 fifth-round draft pick.
Before this deal could happen, the Giants needed to work on a big contract for Barnes, which they did, and before long, Barnes was on a plane to New Jersey.
Burns played in 80 of the available 83 games for the Panthers, recording 46 sacks and eight forced fumbles, and gained a reputation for suiting up every weekend. Now, he brings all of that to the Giants, wearing No. 0.
“They’re hiring people to come to work,” Burns said. “I’m always going to be a professional, I’m always going to be a professional, that’s No. 1. I’m relentless.” They’re getting a playmaker and they’re really enjoying the process and day by day. We’re just getting players who are willing to work on it. I’m really proud of getting better. I feel like we can learn from a lot of cats, especially on this team. I am a team member and always have been, a natural leader and ready to get to work. ”
Barnes lost regularly in his five seasons in Carolina. In his era, the Panthers were 5-11, 5-11, 5-12, 7-10 and 2-15.
Their combined record of 24-59 was brutal, while the Giants were slightly less brutal during the same period at 29-53-1.
Unlike the Panthers, the Giants squeezed one winning season and one playoff win into that boring five years.
“I want to forget about it as soon as possible,” Burns said of all the losses he endured. “Honestly, I think it definitely prepared me for the future. Going through a season like this was tough, but it taught me resilience and not giving up, and it taught me about my character. It will show you.”
Barnes is a graduate of Florida State University and was drafted 16th overall by the Panthers in 2019.
One pick later, the Giants acquired defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence from Clemson.
Barnes knows Lawrence from his high school All-Star Game. “It’s not too deep,” he said.
While in college, Burns hosted a recruiting trip for Kayvon Thibodeau. Thibodeau ended up going to Oregon. These two young edge rushers will soon line up on opposite sides of the Giants’ defensive line.
“I think it’s going to be healthy competition,” Burns said. “He’s very talented and so am I, so we’re definitely going to push each other. It’s all about fun and games.” To be honest, I think we can make each other better. I think so. ”
His voice was… dizzying.
“I’m really excited to be a Giant right now,” Burns said. “I’m ready to start this new journey and continue my career. I’m ready to accomplish great things.”
The Giants did not tender restricted free agent wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins.
The bid was supposed to be a one-year contract for $3 million. The Giants wanted to keep him for a lower price. And Hodgins is now headed to the public market.
Hodgins was a huge factor throughout the 2022 season, catching four touchdown passes, but last season he had just 21 receptions for 230 yards and three TDs in 17 games.
Cornerback Nick McLeod was tendered on a $3 million, one-year contract that is not guaranteed. McLeod, 25, has appeared in 31 games (11 starts) over the past two seasons and has shown the versatility to play safety.
McLeod was a restricted free agent. He re-signed tight end Lawrence Cager, who was a restricted free agent.
