Brian Burns, the Carolina Panthers talented outside linebacker, was absent for his second practice session, which was scheduled for Monday.
I'm told there hasn't been progress in contract negotiations today between the Panthers and Brian Burns.
His status for Sunday vs the Falcons remains in question.— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) September 5, 2023
Frank Reich, the coach of the Panthers, has also indicated that the reason for Burns"s absence was because of his contract predicament.
First-team All-ACC, Burns is in the final year of his rookie deal and will make $16 million this season, but he wants a significant contract extension. In his first four seasons with the Panthers, Burns recorded 38 sacks.
According to ESPN, When Reich was asked regarding this matter, he said, "I"m not involved in the contract negotiations. At all. I have zero [input]."
“I"m just worried about getting my team ready to play Atlanta,"
“Do I hope he is there? Absolutely, I hope he is there. If he"s not there, I"m not worried about it. Just move forward."
In 2022, Burns had a career-high 12.5 sacks. Reich further said, "My view of Brian Burns doesn"t diminish at all,"
“We understand there is a business side to this thing we do, and I still respect and admire the way he had handled himself. I have nothing but the highest regard for Brian Burns."
Shaq Thompson, the outside linebacker, expects that Burns will come back, and he also expressed himself regarding this situation.
He said, "Everybody here knows, everybody outside of here knows, everybody in the stands know, everybody above us knows he deserves what he should get paid,"
“They know to make it right before Week 1"
“We know he"s gonna be out there at the end of the day. He knows he"s gonna be out there at the end of the day. Everybody upstairs better know he better be out there by Wednesday. He"s a big factor in this defense. He"s the one it really starts with."
