Brian Burns: 'Sky's the limit' for Giants' pass rush
New York Giants edge rusher Brian Burns is excited about what he, defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, and edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux can accomplish together.
"That is soon to be found out," Burns told a group of reporters, including Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News, of the trio's potential. "As of right now, we're just trying to get better every day. With our combined talents, I think the sky's the limit. We can really do anything. And we're all young, so hopefully, this is years to come."
The Giants acquired Burns from the Carolina Panthers in a blockbuster trade this offseason, sending second and fifth-round draft picks the other way. New York immediately signed the 26-year-old to a five-year, $141-million contract with $87.5 million guaranteed.
Burns is one of the most talented young pass-rushers in the league, racking up 46 sacks and 142 pressures in 80 career games. He was taken one pick before the Giants selected Lawrence 17th in the 2019 NFL Draft.
"He commands a lot," Burns said of Lawrence, per Leonard. "I'm excited for it because I know they really have to key in on him, and also having somebody opposite of me, they're pretty much going to have to pick their poison on who they're going to key or slide to.
"With Dex demanding so much attention and Kayvon also demanding attention, it's going to free us up a lot."
Lawrence has emerged as one of the best interior defenders in the NFL, securing Pro Bowl nods in back-to-back campaigns while earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2023. Thibodeaux, the fifth overall pick in the 2022 draft, racked up 35 pressures last season and finished fourth in the NFC in sacks with 11.5.
New York's defense hasn't ranked in the top 20 in sacks per contest for the last three years.