Brian Burns named the 1 free agent the Panthers can’t afford to lose

The Carolina Panthers have a few key players set to enter free agency this offseason. But there’s no doubt who their most valuable one is.

Pro Football Focus salary cap analyst Brad Spielberger recently named one free agent that each NFL cannot afford to lose. For the Panthers, Spielberger highlights outside linebacker Brian Burns.

He writes:

The Panthers moved on from vice president of football administration Samir Suleiman in a restructuring of their front office, and the new lead negotiator needs to make it a priority to work through an extension for Burns.

Burns has logged at least 800 snaps in three consecutive seasons with at least 40 quarterback pressures, eight sacks, 10 quarterback hits and 30 defensive stops.

Now, Burns didn’t have a typical Burns season in 2023. The two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher, who was named a second alternate for a third, notched just 8.0 sacks—the fewest since his rookie campaign.

But at just 25 years old, Burns has more than proved his worth to the organization and the defense. So the Panthers, whether they extend him or tag and trade him, must get some sort of return on their all-star backer.