‘All options on the table’ for Carolina Panthers and Brian Burns. So what happens next?
The Carolina Panthers are keeping all of their options open when it comes to the future of pass rusher Brian Burns.
The 2019 first-round pick is set to enter free agency in March, but Carolina GM Dan Morgan wants to retain the homegrown, two-time Pro Bowl linebacker. While Morgan would like to sign Burns to a long-term deal, he’s also open to keeping Burns on the 1-year franchise tag, even at a guaranteed value of $24 million.
“I think we would use (the tag),” Morgan said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. “We’d use it if we have to use it. And we love Brian, Brian’s a Panther, somebody I know and that I’m close to — I played with his brother — so I definitely love Brian, but all options are on the table for him.”
Morgan said he plans to speak with Burns’ agent, Todd France, in the coming days to potentially work out a long-term pact.
Brian Burns’ contract situation is open-ended
Burns is coming of a sub-par season from a statistical standpoint. But he still produced a commendable stat line with 50 tackles, 8 sacks, 2 pass breakups and a forced fumble, even as he dealt with a nagging elbow injury.
While the franchise tag would push $24 million right onto the Panthers’ books, Morgan said Carolina has a plan ahead of free agency. The Panthers would need to decide on the tag by the March 5 deadline.
“I think right now, all options on the table,” Morgan said. “What those options are, we’ll find out. I’ve have a bit more clarity on that after I meet with his agent.”
Derrick Brown, Panthers have talked about extension
Like Burns, Derrick Brown is at the top of the Panthers’ offseason to-do list. Brown, entering the fifth and final year of his rookie contract, will make $11.7 million. But the Panthers can save as much as $8.43 million on the salary cap by extending Brown on a long-term deal.
According to Morgan, the GM has discussed a possible extension with Brown’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, this offseason. Rosenhaus, ironically, was Morgan’s agent when he was a player.
“I think we will look to extend him at some point,” Morgan said about Brown. “Derrick is a great player, a great person, and embodies what a Panther is.”
Panthers plan to keep Ikem Ekwonu at left tackle
Ikem Ekwonu will stay on the blindside, according to Morgan.
The 2022 first-round pick had a tough 2023 in pass protection, and some have mused that he could be a better fit for guard. Even the Panthers, Morgan admitted, considered a potential move inside for Ekwonu, but ultimately decided to keep him in place.
“I’m excited to see him develop under the new regimen, the new offensive line coaches,” Morgan said. “I’m excited for that potential.”
Pro Football Focus credited Ekwonu with 12 penalties, 11 sacks allowed and 44 total pressures allowed last season.
He (67.4) graded out as 40th out of 81 eligible offensive tackles in 2023, per PFF. He struggled primarily as a pass blocker, but he did have another strong season as a run defender, ranking 11th among same group offensive tackles in that phase.
New head coach Dave Canales said keeping Ekwonu at left tackle was largely due to his strength as a run blocker within the system the new play-caller wants to run. Morgan said he has spoken with Ekwonu regularly of late and that the third-year player is hungry to get better.
But Morgan says fixing the line is a high priority in protecting quarterback Bryce Young.
“I think it’s pretty evident that our offensive line pretty much struggled at times last year,” Morgan said. “We’ve got to get better in that area, and we’re going to do everything in our power to make that happen.”
Frankie Luvu wanted in Carolina, but nothing guaranteed
Morgan said linebacker Frankie Luvu is a “dawg,” alluding back to the GM’s desired personnel description from his introductory press conference earlier this month.
Luvu has had back-to-back career seasons, and his work within Ejiro Evero’s scheme has brought a lot out of him from production and versatility standpoints.
“We have all intentions of re-signing Frankie,” Morgan said. “We love Frankie. He embodies what a Panther is. He’s tough, he’s got that ‘dawg’ mentality that we talk about. Nothing is guaranteed in this league, but we are going to try to extend him.”
Chuba Hubbard is RB1 ... right now
The Panthers watched as Chuba Hubbard outperformed big-money free agent signee, Miles Sanders, in the backfield last year.
According to Morgan, Hubbard is currently set to remain at the top of the depth chart for Carolina. Canales later reiterated Hubbard’s spot over Sanders entering the offseason.
“As of now, he’s the lead back going forward,” Morgan said. “Him, along with Miles Sanders, I think they’re two really good backs that I think can come along get better together, and looking forward to seeing both of them under a new regime.”
Shaq Thompson trending in ‘good direction’
Morgan said veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson is trending in a “good direction” as he recovers from a season-ending leg injury that cost him all but two games last year.
Morgan sounded optimistic about Thompson’s availability for the offseason program and organized team activities. But he couched the optimism by saying there are no guarantees on injuries.
Quick hits
▪ Morgan complimented tight end Tommy Tremble’s athleticism and receiving ability, but he said the fourth-year tight end’s “underrated” strength is in the run game. Morgan said Tremble has a bright future as he enters the final year of his contract.
▪ Morgan called Evero one of the best defensive coordinators in the league. Morgan said he and the entire personnel department have a better feel for Evero’s scheme from a scouting perspective than the group did last year.
▪ Morgan said he is working really well with new EVP of football operations Brandt Tilis so far. The pair had never worked together, but Morgan said he’s excited about their working relationship as they start their first offseason together.
▪ Speaking of Tilis, Morgan said they’ll be more tactical with their cap saving moves. Last year, the Panthers structured several contracts, pushing money onto this offseason’s budget. Morgan said they’ll be more selective with restructures instead of just “kick the can down the road.”
▪ Morgan said he speaks with Seattle Seahawks GM John Schneider, New York Giants GM Joe Schoen and Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane at least once a week and bounces ideas off them. He said that executive trio helped prepare him for his GM interview with the Teppers.
▪ Morgan was non-committal on the potential hiring of an assistant GM. He noted that he has VP of player personnel Adrian Wilson and director of player personnel under him.
This story was originally published February 27, 2024 at 4:13 PM.
