Brian Burns is one of the most recognizable defensive players on the New York Giants roster. The talented outside linebacker has built a reputation as a fast and dangerous pass rusher since entering the NFL in 2019
After several productive seasons with the Carolina Panthers, Burns moved to the Giants in 2024 and quickly became an important part of their defense.
Interest in Brian Burns has increased again in September 2026 after he suffered an ankle injury during the Giants’ Week 2 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Burns was helped off the field late in the game and did not return. The timing is significant because Burns is coming off the best statistical season of his NFL career.
In 2025, he recorded 16.5 sacks, 67 total tackles, 31 quarterback hits, 22 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles.
His performance earned him second-team All-Pro honors and his third Pro Bowl selection.
Burns was also ranked No. 14 in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026.
That made him the highest-ranked Giants defender ever on the player-voted list.
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Table of Contents
Who is Brian Burns?
Brian Burns is an American professional football player who plays outside linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was born on April 23, 1998, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.1
Burns played college football at Florida State before entering the NFL. The Carolina Panthers selected him with the 16th overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
From the beginning of his professional career, Burns stood out because of his speed and athletic ability. At 6 feet 5 inches and around 250 pounds, he combines length with quick movement.
His ability to attack quarterbacks from the edge has been one of the defining features of his game. Burns spent his first five NFL seasons with Carolina.
During that period, he became one of the league’s most consistent young pass rushers. He then joined the Giants in a major 2024 trade.
New York acquired Burns from Carolina and signed him to a five-year contract worth up to $150 million. The agreement included $76 million fully guaranteed at signing according to NFL’s free-agency tracker.
The move gave the Giants another major defensive weapon alongside players such as Dexter Lawrence and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
People took that tunnel video all outta context.. I wasn’t mad at Shane nor the call.. 🤦🏾♂️
— Brian Burns (@Fire_Burns99) October 21, 2025
Early Life and College Career
Burns developed as a football player in Florida and eventually became one of the country’s highly regarded defensive prospects.
He attended American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida. His athletic ability and pass-rushing skills made him a major college prospect.
Burns chose Florida State for his college career. He entered the program with considerable expectations and quickly showed why NFL scouts were interested in him.
During his time with the Seminoles, Burns developed the speed and technique that would later become central to his NFL game.
His ability to get around offensive tackles made him an especially difficult player to block. His college career also demonstrated that he could create pressure without relying only on size.
Burns’ quick first step and ability to bend around the edge became major parts of his scouting profile. Those qualities eventually helped him become a first-round pick.
Quick Stats
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Brian Burns |
| Date of birth | April 23, 1998 |
| Age | 28 |
| Birthplace | Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 feet 5 inches |
| Weight | 250 pounds |
| Position | Outside linebacker |
| Current team | New York Giants |
| Jersey number | No. 0 |
| College | Florida State |
| NFL Draft | 2019 |
| Draft position | Round 1, Pick 16 |
| Drafted by | Carolina Panthers |
| NFL debut | 2019 |
| Current contract | Five years, up to $150 million |
| Pro Bowls | 3 |
| All-Pro honors | Second-team All-Pro in 2025 |
| Career sacks | 71 through 2025 |
| 2025 sacks | 16.5 |
| 2025 total tackles | 67 |
| 2025 quarterback hits | 31 |
| 2025 tackles for loss | 22 |
Brian Burns’ NFL Draft
The Carolina Panthers selected Brian Burns with the 16th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.2
The Panthers saw Burns as a long-term pass-rushing threat. His combination of size, speed and athleticism made him one of the more intriguing defensive players in that draft class.
Burns entered the NFL with the challenge of adjusting to stronger offensive linemen and more complicated blocking schemes. He nevertheless made an immediate impact.
In his rookie season he played 16 games and recorded 7.5 sacks. That was an encouraging beginning for a young edge rusher.
Brian Burns With the Carolina Panthers
Burns spent his first five seasons with Carolina and steadily improved his production.
His sack totals during his first five seasons were:
- 2019: 7.5 sacks
- 2020: 9 sacks
- 2021: 9 sacks
- 2022: 12.5 sacks
- 2023: 8 sacks
He also became a two-time Pro Bowl selection during his Carolina years. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2021 and 2022.
One of the most impressive parts of Burns’ early career was his consistency. The Giants noted that he became one of only eight players in NFL history to record at least 7.5 sacks in each of his first seven seasons.
The other players in that group include Reggie White, Derrick Thomas, DeMarcus Ware, Jared Allen, Aaron Donald, Ryan Kerrigan and Yannick Ngakoue.
That consistency helped establish Burns as more than a promising young pass rusher. He became one of the league’s established defensive stars.
Brian Burns Joins the New York Giants
The Giants acquired Brian Burns from Carolina in March 2024.
The trade was one of the major moves of the Giants’ offseason. New York wanted to strengthen its defensive front and Burns brought proven pass-rushing production.
After the trade, Burns signed a five-year deal worth up to $150 million. The contract made him one of the highest-paid defensive players in the league at the time.
Burns joined a defensive group that included Dexter Lawrence and Kayvon Thibodeaux. The three players were expected to create significant pressure from different areas of the defensive front.
Burns’ first Giants season produced 8.5 sacks and 71 total tackles. He also recorded eight passes defended and two forced fumbles.
Although those numbers were below his 2022 career high in sacks, he remained a major part of the Giants’ defense.
Brian Burns’ Breakout 2025 Season
The 2025 season became a defining year for Burns.3
He started all 17 games and produced a career-best 16.5 sacks. He also recorded 67 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 31 quarterback hits and three forced fumbles.
His 16.5 sacks tied Jason Pierre-Paul’s 2011 total for the fourth-most sacks in a single season by a Giants defender.
Only Michael Strahan and Lawrence Taylor had higher individual season totals in Giants history. Burns’ 31 quarterback hits were also the most by a Giants player since the statistic began being tracked in 2006.
The season earned him his third career Pro Bowl selection. It was his first Pro Bowl appearance as a Giant.
He also received second-team All-Pro honors from the Associated Press. It was the first All-Pro honor of his career.
Burns’ performance changed the conversation around his place among NFL pass rushers. His production was no longer simply about potential.
He had produced one of the best defensive seasons in recent Giants history.
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Brian Burns and the NFL Top 100 in 2026
Burns entered the 2026 season with considerable recognition. In August 2026, NFL players voted him No. 14 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026.
According to the Giants, Burns became the highest-ranked Giants defender in the history of the list. His ranking came after his outstanding 2025 campaign.
The list is voted on by current NFL players, making the recognition notable because it reflects how players around the league view Burns.
Other NFL players have also discussed the difficulty of dealing with his pass-rushing ability.
Giants coverage of his Top 100 ranking highlighted comments about his athleticism, movement and variety of pass-rushing techniques.
Brian Burns’ 2026 Season So Far
The 2026 season began with Burns starting for the Giants. Through the first two regular-season games, he had four total tackles.
He recorded two tackles in the Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys and another two tackles against the Rams in Week 2.
However, he has not recorded a sack through those two games. The Giants opened the season with a 28-20 victory over Dallas before losing 28-6 to the Rams.
The Rams game became particularly important for Burns because he suffered an ankle injury late in the contest.
Giants head coach John Harbaugh described the injury as a low ankle sprain. Burns was helped off the field and did not return.
Burns later said the injury was not considered serious and that he had dealt with similar injuries before.
Why Is Brian Burns Trending in September 2026?
There are several reasons Brian Burns has attracted attention recently. The most immediate reason is his injury.
Burns left the Giants’ Week 2 game against the Rams with an ankle injury. The Giants then listed him as a non-participant in practice during the week leading into their Week 3 matchup with Tennessee.
On September 25, the Giants listed Burns as questionable. The situation has become more significant because the Giants are already dealing with several injuries.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season after suffering a knee injury against the Rams. The Giants also had injury concerns surrounding other important players.
That has put additional attention on Burns because he is one of the most established defensive players on the roster. There is also a broader reason for the search interest.
Burns entered 2026 after a career-best season and a top-14 ranking in the NFL Top 100. Fans therefore have a strong reason to follow any update about his availability.
Brian Burns Career Statistics
Brian Burns has built impressive numbers across his NFL career. According to NFL.com, he entered the 2026 season with 71 career sacks.
His career totals through the 2025 season included 388 combined tackles, 236 solo tackles, 152 assists, 71 sacks, 28 passes defended, 13 forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
His season-by-season sack production shows his consistency:
| Season | Team | Games | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Carolina Panthers | 16 | 7.5 |
| 2020 | Carolina Panthers | 15 | 9 |
| 2021 | Carolina Panthers | 17 | 9 |
| 2022 | Carolina Panthers | 16 | 12.5 |
| 2023 | Carolina Panthers | 16 | 8 |
| 2024 | New York Giants | 17 | 8.5 |
| 2025 | New York Giants | 17 | 16.5 |
| 2026 | New York Giants | 2 | 0 |
| Career | Panthers/Giants | 116 | 71 |
What Makes Brian Burns Such a Dangerous Pass Rusher?
Burns’ biggest strength is his athleticism. He has the length to challenge offensive tackles and the speed to attack the edge.
His ability to change direction also allows him to adjust when blockers try to counter his initial rush. Another important quality is his variety.
Burns does not rely on a single move. He can use speed, inside counters, spins and other techniques to get around blockers.
The Giants’ 2026 Top 100 feature highlighted how other NFL players describe his combination of athletic ability and pass-rushing moves. His consistency is equally important.
Burns recorded at least 7.5 sacks in each of his first seven seasons. That means his production remained relatively stable even when his role and team changed.
His 2025 campaign showed what can happen when that consistency reaches another level.
The 16.5 sacks were the highest total of his career and placed him among the most productive pass rushers in the NFL that season.
Brian Burns Injury Update
As of September 25, 2026, Brian Burns is dealing with an ankle injury suffered during the Giants’ Week 2 game against the Rams.
The Giants’ official injury report lists Burns with an ankle injury. He did not participate in practice on Wednesday or Thursday before the Week 3 matchup with Tennessee.
He was listed as questionable on Friday. Head coach John Harbaugh initially described Burns as day-to-day after the Rams game.
Burns also said shortly after the game that the injury was not considered serious. However, his availability remained uncertain heading into Week 3.
For that reason, fans searching for Brian Burns right now are likely interested not only in his career but also in whether he will return to the field soon.
Brian Burns’ Career Achievements
Burns has already collected several important accomplishments during his NFL career.
His major achievements include:
- First-round NFL Draft selection in 2019
- Three Pro Bowl selections
- Second-team All-Pro in 2025
- 71 career sacks through the 2025 season
- 16.5 sacks in 2025
- 31 quarterback hits in 2025
- 22 tackles for loss in 2025
- Two Pro Bowl selections with Carolina
- First Pro Bowl selection with the Giants
- No. 14 ranking in the 2026 NFL Top 100
- Highest-ranked Giants defender in NFL Top 100 history
The 2025 season stands out as the biggest statistical year of his career so far.
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FAQ’s
Who is Brian Burns?
Brian Burns is an NFL outside linebacker who plays for the New York Giants. He was selected 16th overall by the Carolina Panthers in the 2019 NFL Draft after playing college football at Florida State.
How old is Brian Burns?
Brian Burns was born on April 23, 1998. He is 28 years old as of September 2026.
What team does Brian Burns play for?
Brian Burns plays for the New York Giants. He joined the Giants in 2024 after spending his first five NFL seasons with the Carolina Panthers.
How many sacks did Brian Burns have in 2025?
Brian Burns recorded 16.5 sacks during the 2025 regular season. It was the highest single-season sack total of his NFL career.
Is Brian Burns a Pro Bowler?
Yes. Burns has been selected to three Pro Bowls. His first two selections came in 2021 and 2022 with Carolina. His third came after the 2025 season with the Giants.
Conclusion
Brian Burns has developed from a first-round pick out of Florida State into one of the NFL’s established edge defenders.
His career has been defined by consistent pass-rushing production. After five seasons with Carolina, he moved to the New York Giants in 2024 and became a key piece of their defense.
His 2025 campaign was especially impressive as he recorded a career-high 16.5 sacks and earned his third Pro Bowl selection and first All-Pro honor.
At 28 years old, Burns remains one of the most experienced and productive defensive players on the Giants roster.
His next chapter will depend in part on how quickly he returns from his current ankle issue and whether he can build on the outstanding 2025 season that pushed his career to another level.
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