With Dexter Lawrence Shipped Out Of New York, Is Brian Burns Now Available?
April 19th, 2026
Might Giants edge rusher Brian Burns be available?
Joe is going to guess the thought of trading a high draft pick for one of the better edge rushers in the game may chase Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht out of bed at 2 a.m. with a nasty, projectile acid reflux episode.
Last week as Dexter Lawrence stomped around New Jersey demanding a new pay raise — or else — after coming off career lows in sacks and tackles, stud Giants edge rusher Brian Burns told Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post that if Lawrence was traded, Burns said, “And I don’t want to play this season or any other season without him.”
(The New York Post story is behind a paywall, but Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk still had the excerpt.)
Last night, Lawrence was traded to Cincinnati for the No. 10 overall pick in Thursday’s draft.
So, Joe wonders, is Burns going to stick to his word and invoke Operation Shutdown until he, too, is shipped out of New Jersey?
While Joe has his doubts, as badly as the Bucs need an edge rusher, the G-Men now have a disgruntled, top-shelf pass rusher on their hands. Time to try to take advantage.
Licht worked magic once before with the Giants when he bit the bullet and pulled a third-round pick out of his body to send to New Jersey for Jason Pierre-Paul in 2018.
Not only was that Licht’s greatest heist, Joe maintains that transaction alone began the turnaround from the Bucs being the laughingstock of the NFC to three seasons later, dancing with the Vince Lombardi Trophy as NFL champs.
Joe doesn’t believe Burns, who is under contract for three more seasons, will be as cheap as the ransom Licht paid for JPP.
Will this happen? Joe really doubts it, sadly. But hey, a guy can dream, can’t he?
April 19th, 2026 at 12:03 am
That’s a good dream
April 19th, 2026 at 12:46 am
Licht is not going to give up a one. He might give up a two for burns
April 19th, 2026 at 12:47 am
I’d rather him make a play for Thibodeaux. Lower cost too.
April 19th, 2026 at 12:49 am
Licht giving up a first? HAAHAHA
April 19th, 2026 at 1:32 am
Great idea, but I’m betting Licht is believing (yet again) that this draft aligns with picking an Edge they can get and “coach him up”- especially if he thinks this draft is deep enough to let him get a couple of guys that might justify what he’s looking for.
Regardless of the JTS’ and Braswell’s that just never could make it happen. Just one more roll of that dice!
Let’s hope ol’ Lucky Licht nails it this time.
April 19th, 2026 at 2:30 am
If BA was the head coach and able to tell a subordinate Todd Bowles what to do and how to do it, sure.
If Lite went after Burns in the current world, he’d remind fans of 2025 Reddick only worse. No one who wants to compile sack numbers will ever want to play for The Great Regressor.
Which is why Light is also done after 2026.
April 19th, 2026 at 3:20 am
Joe has a terrific thought here. Perhaps NYG braintrust is feeling good about their own heist today. A 3rd probably wouldnt be enough but Harbougb is clearly cleaning house aka if a player [under previous losing regime that] doesn’t want to be here, then MYG is open for business. Our 2nd this year for Brian Burns would be better than #15 for Mesidor mess of questions. By far.