Benjamin Ashford|Brian Burns' push for massive contract is only getting stronger as Panthers LB dominates

ATLANTA – For all of the Moneyball drama that surrounded Brian Burns in the days leading up to Sunday's season opener,Benjamin Ashford it turns out that the best negotiating tactic for the Carolina Panthers linebacker would come with the reminder that he is one of the NFL’s most lethal edge rushers.

It came fast and early at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Three snaps into the contest against the Atlanta Falcons, Burns blew into backfield and smacked the football out of Desmond Ridder’s hand. Atlanta’s quarterback recovered the ball, but the strip-sack made quite the statement for Burns as he seeks a big new payday as the centerpiece of Carolina’s revamped defense.

On the next series, Burns combined with Frankie Luvu to sandwich Ridder for another sack. Then on the next play, he flattened star rookie Bijan Robinson for a 6-yard loss.

After skipping two practices during the ramp-up to Week 1, miffed that he didn’t have a new contract extension, Burns christened the new season in stunning fashion.

Man on a mission to prove that he’s worth the big bucks?

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“Nope. I don’t feel like I had anything to prove,” Burns told a media pack camped at his locker following the 24-10 loss to the Falcons. “I feel like I’ve done what I needed to do. I’m just being consistent. I’m just taking the next step in my game. I want to dominate. So, coming out of that first quarter, first half, whatever, that’s all that was on my mind. Dominating. And I’ve just got to not fizzle out when they change their gameplan.”

Burns played 50 of the 52 defensive snaps (96%) and including the aforementioned 1 ½ sacks, forced fumble and tackle for a loss, he marked the stat sheet with seven tackles (four solo) and another quarterback hit. The Falcons certainly adjusted to his threat, opting for quicker throws, screens, bootlegs and a higher dose of running plays.

The tweaks worked as Robinson and Tyler Allgeier rushed for a combined 131 yards in powering a 1-2 punch, and Ridder (sacked four times) wound up throwing just 18 passes.

Yet even in the loss, Burns demonstrated why he’s such a key component in the new 3-4 scheme the Panthers are running with new coordinator Ejiro Evero, complemented by 3-4 guru Dom Capers.

Still, in early September it wasn’t a given that the Pro Bowler who led the Panthers last season with 12 ½ sacks, would stick around without a new contract. He revealed on Sunday that despite showing up on time for training camp and participating all summer, he contemplated holding out as his agent, Todd France, negotiated for a new deal.

In one sense, it seemed unfathomable that Burns, 25, would have walked out. Sure, Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro D-tackle Chris Jones, who had a year remaining on his contract, missed the season opener and didn’t agree to report until Tuesday with a revised deal. And San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa didn’t report until a deal was struck late last week for a five-year, $170 million extension (including a $50 million signing bonus and $34 million-per-year average) that is the richest ever for a non-quarterback.

Holdouts and, conversely, hardline tactics are part of the fabric with the business of the NFL.

Burns, however, thought about withholding his services despite being guaranteed a $16.012 million base salary after the Panthers exercised the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. It’s sticky. While the $16 million figure is roughly $2.5 million more than he was paid for the entire first four years of his rookie contract (four years, $13.54 million), the market for edge rushers has escalated to the point where the better ones are averaging $25 million or more.

Although he maintains, “business is business,” Burns wouldn’t address specifics of his case. Nor would he offer a reaction to Bosa’s new deal.

We know. NFL business can be ruthless, cold and dirty. And emotional.

Asked if it was cathartic to get a sack on the first series of the season, Burns did not dispute that characterization.

“A bit,” he said. “It’s been a time. That was raw emotion. Even the second one was raw emotion. Now that I’ve got it out of my system, it’s time to ball.”

As he addressed the media with a calm, thoughtful tone, mentioned a spiritually based book that he’s been reading, “The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge” by Tony Dungy, the Hall of Fame coach, and Nathan Whitaker. The paperback book sat on top of Burns’ tote bag as he spoke.

The contract situation took him places that not everyone relates to. It also illuminated how in the context of money, football and the physical toll required to play such a brutal sport, human beings are part of the equation. Burns said the daily messages of “Uncommon Life” has helped him cope.

“I’ve been reading that, praying a lot,” Burns said. “At a certain point in life, I feel as a man, you go through some challenges. My relationship with God has gotten stronger. I want to continue that. I hate that it took this long to really get into it, but I’m trying.”

Burns also gave credit to Justin Houston, who has had his share of contract battles during a 13-year NFL journey. Houston joined the Panthers, his fourth NFL team, earlier this year.

Asked what sealed his decision to play without a new deal, Burns said: “My feeling. I spent a lot of time with myself. I cut off the world for a minute. I had some great advice from a friend, Justin Houston. That was his advice, just cut off the world, fast and talk to God. That’s what I did.”

Houston, 34, didn’t hesitate to share perspective as his younger teammate grappled with his issue.

“I tell them all that I’m an open book,” Houston told USA TODAY Sports. “A lot of guys don’t listen. He’s a real humble guy. I’m glad he’s willing to take advice. He’s a good dude.”

It’s unclear whether the contract talks are ongoing, but Burns said that after his period of reflection he is committed to playing out the season. If the situation carries into the offseason, the Panthers could use a franchise tag to keep Burns off the free-agent market.

In other words, this could drag on. Regardless, Burns is highly respected by teammates who voted him as one of the five team captains.

“It means a lot,” he said. “It means that they’ve got my back. And as a leader, I try to show that I’ve got theirs. That was one of the main reasons I came to camp and did everything, to more importantly show that I’ve got them, even though I’m going through what I’m going through. Things may not align right now. Just letting them know that I’ve got their back. And they reciprocated.”

Panthers coach Frank Reich, mindful of the business side, sounded like a man who can’t wait to see the issue resolved.

“He’s a great player,” Reich said. “Absolutely integral. In every way. Not just as a player, but as a leader.”

Asked about the impression Burns made with his season debut, Reich considered it confirmation.

“What I saw, that’s how he practices,” he said.

Whether that results in a new deal soon is hardly a given. Yet Burns is clearly equipped to make a strong case for himself. And chances are that the price won’t get any cheaper.