Brian Burns Bio
Brian Burns (born April 23, 1998) is an American professional football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft. Throughout his career, Burns has established himself as a key defensive player, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and becoming one of the most productive edge rushers of his era.
Early Life and Background
Brian Burns was born on April 23, 1998, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in the United States. He grew up in a region known for producing elite football talent and developed his passion for the game at a young age. Standing at 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 250 pounds, Burns possesses the physical tools that have defined his career as a pass rusher.
Burns attended American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida, where he starred on the football team. Over his junior and senior seasons, he recorded 135 tackles and 28 sacks combined, helping his squad capture state titles along the way. His dominant high school performance earned him an invitation to the 2016 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, one of the premier showcases for top high school prospects in the country.
Following his decorated prep career, Burns committed to Florida State University to continue his football development. His combination of size, speed, and football IQ made him one of the most coveted defensive recruits in his class, and his family ties to the NFL would later add another chapter to his football story.
Path to American Football
Burns arrived at Florida State in 2016 and quickly made an immediate impact. As a freshman, he played in all 13 games and led all freshmen in the nation with 8.5 sacks, signaling his arrival as a future star. His early success at the collegiate level confirmed that he had the work ethic and natural ability to develop into a top-tier professional prospect.
In his sophomore season of 2017, Burns started all 13 games and tallied 48 tackles along with 4.5 sacks, continuing his steady progression. The following year, as a junior in 2018, he started all 12 games and produced 52 tackles and 10 sacks, earning First-team All-ACC honors. His stellar junior campaign convinced him to forgo his senior season and declare for the 2019 NFL draft, where he was projected as a first-round talent.
Brian Burns Career
Early Career (2019-2020)
Burns was selected by the Carolina Panthers with the 16th overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft, becoming one of the prized young defenders in the league. In his rookie season, he appeared in 16 games with five starts and posted 7.5 sacks, 25 total tackles, and one forced fumble. His first career signature moment came in Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, when he recorded a sack on Gardner Minshew and returned a forced fumble for a touchdown in a 34-27 victory.
The 2020 season saw Burns take on a larger role. He appeared in 15 games with 14 starts and finished with nine sacks, 58 total tackles, four passes defended, and three forced fumbles. He was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week after recording two sacks on Matthew Stafford in a shutout win over the Detroit Lions in Week 11. By the end of his second year, he had firmly established himself as a foundational piece of the Carolina defense.
Carolina Panthers Breakthrough (2021-2023)
Burns elevated his game in 2021, appearing in all 17 games with 16 starts and finishing with nine sacks, 50 total tackles, four passes defended, and two forced fumbles. His strong play earned him his first Pro Bowl selection, and he was later ranked 76th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022 list. The Panthers also picked up his fifth-year option in April 2022, signaling their long-term commitment to the young star.
In 2022, Burns continued to produce at a high level, racking up 12.5 sacks, 63 total tackles, three passes defended, and one forced fumble across 16 games. He earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl honor and was voted 54th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023. The 2023 campaign featured another strong season, as he posted eight sacks, 50 total tackles, two passes defended, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. That year, he moved up the Panthers all-time sack list by surpassing Kevin Greene for fifth place in franchise history.
New York Giants Era (2024-Present)
On March 5, 2024, the Carolina Panthers placed the franchise tag on Burns, and shortly thereafter, on March 13, 2024, they traded him along with a 2024 fifth-round pick acquired from the San Francisco 49ers to the New York Giants in exchange for second-round and fifth-round picks in the 2024 NFL draft. The Giants then signed Burns to a five-year contract worth $141 million, including $87.5 million in guaranteed money, a deal that runs through 2029.
In his first season with the Giants in 2024, Burns finished with 8.5 sacks, 71 tackles, and eight passes defended. He wasted little time making an even bigger impact in 2025, recording 16.5 sacks, 67 tackles, seven passes defended, and three forced fumbles. His dominant 2025 performance earned him another Pro Bowl selection, as well as Second-team All-Pro recognition, cementing his status as one of the premier defensive players in the NFL.
Driving Style and Strengths
Burns is known for his explosive first step, length, and refined pass-rushing technique. He excels at using his 6-foot-5 frame and long arms to keep offensive tackles off his body, allowing him to win around the edge with speed or power. His ability to impact both the passing and running game, combined with his durability and football intelligence, has made him a cornerstone piece of the Giants defense.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Burns’s career is his 42nd career sack in 2023, which pushed him past Kevin Greene for fifth place on the Carolina Panthers all-time sack list. His 16.5 sacks in 2025 represented a career high and underscored his continued growth as a premier pass rusher. He has now been selected to three Pro Bowls, in 2021, 2022, and 2025, and earned Second-team All-Pro honors in 2025.
Brian Burns Career Wins
Brian Burns has built a resume defined by consistent production, peer recognition, and team-changing impact across both the Carolina Panthers and the New York Giants. While he plays a defensive position, his wins are best measured in individual accolades, signature performances, and statistical milestones.
NFL Highlights
Through the 2025 season, Burns has earned three Pro Bowl selections, in 2021, 2022, and 2025, along with Second-team All-Pro recognition in 2025. He has accumulated 71 career sacks, 384 total tackles, 13 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 28 pass deflections, and 1 defensive touchdown. His first Pro Bowl selection came after the 2021 season, his most recent came after the 2025 campaign, and his 2023 milestone of passing Kevin Greene stands as one of the signature achievements of his Panthers tenure.
Other Wins & Performances
At the collegiate level, Burns earned First-team All-ACC honors in 2018, capping a junior season that included 52 tackles and 10 sacks. In high school, he helped American Heritage School win state titles during his junior and senior seasons, where he combined for 135 tackles and 28 sacks.
Brian Burns Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Burns comes from a football family, with his older brother, Stanley McClover, having been drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL draft. The connection to the Panthers added a poetic layer to Burns’s own career arc, as he eventually became a first-round pick by the same franchise before being traded to the New York Giants.
Personal Life
Off the field, Burns is a fan of the Marvel character Spider-Man. He is based in the United States and continues to play for the New York Giants as of 2025.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a defining chapter in Brian Burns’s career, as he delivered his most productive campaign to date with the New York Giants. He finished the year with 16.5 sacks, 67 tackles, seven passes defended, and three forced fumbles, leading a Giants defense that relied heavily on his ability to disrupt opposing quarterbacks. His dominant production made him one of the most feared pass rushers in the league throughout the season.
His standout play did not go unnoticed by peers or analysts, as he earned his third career Pro Bowl selection and was named Second-team All-Pro for the 2025 season. These honors validated his transition to the Giants and confirmed that he remains one of the elite edge defenders in football.
Looking ahead, Burns is signed through 2029 on a five-year, $141 million contract, giving the Giants long-term stability at the linebacker position. With his continued development, proven durability, and track record of high-level production, Burns is positioned to remain a central figure on the Giants defense for years to come.
