Bears rumours: Brian Burns was the team’s goal at the trade deadline
At Bank of America Stadium, linebacker Brian Burns (0) of the Carolina Panthers reacts following a sack during the second quarter. Required Credit: USA TODAY Sports/Bob Donnan
The Chicago Bears have targeted defensive end Brian Burns of the Carolina Panthers for the second time in the last year.
The Bears had requested Burns as part of the deal that Carolina would send Chicago earlier this year in March, during trade talks with the Panthers regarding the 2023 first overall pick in the draught.
Burns was not on the Panthers’ counter-list of three players, as is well known, and the Bears ended up with a package that included wide receiver D.J. Moore and the Panthers’ first-round pick in 2024.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Bears reached out to the Panthers again during the NFL Trade Deadline this past week to indicate their interest in making a trade for Burns.
This year, Burns has drawn interest from the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears, two teams who ultimately acquired another pass rusher before the deadline, sources told ESPN.
During this week’s NFL Trade Deadline, the Chicago Bears rekindled their interest in defensive end Brian Burns of the Carolina Panthers.
Burns, who is in the last year of his deal with the Panthers, will be eligible to sign a free agent contract when the new league year begins in March of next year. In the event that they are unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension, it is anticipated that the Panthers will utilise their franchise tag on Burns.
The Bears decided to switch to the Washington Commanders’ Montez Sweat. In compensation for Sweat, the Bears handed the Commander a 2024 second-round draught pick; however, if the Bears had been serious about making a second trade with the Panthers, they probably would have needed to offer Burns more. The Bears and Sweat reached a four-year, $98MM deal agreement on Saturday.
There’s no denying that Bears general manager Ryan Poles wanted to address the team’s pass rush deficiencies at the deadline. The solution was Montez, who is anticipated to make his squad debut today against the New Orleans Saints.