Video: Brian Burns Was ‘Shocked’ by Giants Trade; NFL Rivals Must ‘Pick Their Poison’

Veteran edge-rusher Brian Burns believes opponents of the New York Giants will have their hands full when attempting to neutralize a front seven that includes he, Dexter Lawrence and Kayvon Thibodeaux.

The Giants acquired Burns from the Carolina Panthers this offseason and signed him to a five-year, $141 million extension.

At Lawrence’s charity softball game, the two-time Pro Bowler said he was “shocked” upon first learning of the trade and called it a “pleasant surprise.”

Burns added he’s enthusiastic about his new setting because Lawrence “commands a lot” of attention on the interior the line.

“I’m excited for it because I know they really have to key in on him, and also having somebody opposite of me, they’re pretty much going to have to pick their poison on who they’re going to key or slide to,” he said. “With Dex demanding so much attention and Kayvon also demanding attention, it’s going to free us up a lot.”

Burns had a somewhat down year in 2023. His eight sacks were his fewest since his rookie year (2019), though he finished 11th in ESPN’s pass-rush win rate metric.

Life should be much easier in the Big Apple.

Lawrence was a Pro Bowler for the second straight year, and Pro Football Focus ranked him as the eighth-best player overall from last season. Few interior linemen are better at collapsing the pocket.

And standing opposite Burns will be Thibodeaux, who made a big leap in Year 2. His sack total improved from four as a rookie to 11.5.

It’s easy to see who Burns is so assured on how good the Giants defense will be.