Brian Burns Bio
Brian Burns is an American professional football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League. 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 professional career, Burns has established himself as one of the most productive pass rushers of his generation. He has earned multiple Pro Bowl selections and developed into a cornerstone defensive player for both the Panthers and the Giants.
Early Life and Background
Brian Burns was born on April 23, 1998, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He attended American Heritage School in nearby Plantation, where he played high school football and quickly became one of the most dominant defensive players in the state. Over his junior and senior seasons, Burns recorded 135 tackles and 28 sacks combined while helping his team win state championships. He was recognized as one of the top high school players in the country, earning a spot in the 2016 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Burns committed to Florida State University to continue his football career at the collegiate level.
Growing up in the Fort Lauderdale area, Burns was surrounded by football from an early age and benefited from a strong football culture in South Florida. His older brother Stanley McClover also played football at a high level and was later drafted into the National Football League. The competitive family environment helped shape Burns into the driven and disciplined player he is today.
Path to American Football
At Florida State University, Burns immediately made an impact as a freshman in 2016, appearing in all 13 games and leading all freshmen nationally with 8.5 sacks. As a sophomore in 2017, he started all 13 games and finished with 48 tackles and 4.5 sacks. By his junior season in 2018, Burns was among the most feared defensive players in college football, starting all 12 games and recording 52 tackles and 10 sacks. His strong junior campaign earned him a first-team All-ACC selection and prompted him to forgo his senior year and enter the 2019 NFL draft.
Brian Burns Career
Early Career (2019)
The Carolina Panthers selected Brian Burns with the 16th overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft, making him the seventh defensive player from Florida State ever taken in the opening round. In his rookie season, Burns appeared in 16 games and started five, finishing with 7.5 sacks, 25 total tackles, and one forced fumble. His rookie production immediately signaled that the Panthers had found a foundational piece on their defensive line.
Burns carried that momentum into 2020, starting 14 of 15 games and recording nine sacks, 58 total tackles, four passes defended, and three forced fumbles. In Week 11 against the Detroit Lions, he posted two sacks on Matthew Stafford during a shutout win and was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week. He also recorded strip sacks on Justin Herbert against the Los Angeles Chargers and Drew Brees against the New Orleans Saints, showcasing his ability to affect games against elite quarterbacks.
Carolina Panthers Breakthrough (2021-2023)
Brian Burns earned his first Pro Bowl selection following the 2021 season, appearing in all 17 games and starting 16 while finishing with nine sacks, 50 total tackles, four passes defended, and two forced fumbles. He was ranked 76th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022 by his fellow players. In 2022, the Panthers picked up the fifth-year option on his contract, and Burns rewarded the organization with his finest season yet, recording 12.5 sacks, 63 total tackles, three passes defended, and one forced fumble in 16 starts. His Week 12 performance against the Denver Broncos, which included two sacks on Russell Wilson, a forced fumble, and a pass deflection, earned him another NFC Defensive Player of the Week honor, and he received his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection.
In 2023, Burns continued his strong play and moved up the Panthers all-time sack list, passing Kevin Greene for fifth place in franchise history with his 42nd career sack. He finished the season with eight sacks, 50 total tackles, two passes defended, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. After the Panthers placed the franchise tag on him in March 2024, the team ultimately traded Burns to the New York Giants in a deal that also involved the San Francisco 49ers, sending the linebacker and a 2024 fifth-round pick to New York in exchange for second-round and fifth-round selections in the 2024 NFL draft.
New York Giants Era (2024-Present)
The Giants signed Brian Burns to a five-year contract worth $141 million, including $87.5 million guaranteed, immediately upon acquiring him in March 2024. In his first season with New York during 2024, Burns finished with 8.5 sacks, 71 tackles, and eight passes defended, providing an immediate boost to the Giants defensive unit. He earned his third Pro Bowl selection following the 2025 season after recording 16.5 sacks, 67 tackles, seven passes defended, and three forced fumbles. He also earned second-team All-Pro honors for the 2025 season, cementing his status as one of the top outside linebackers in the National Football League.
Driving Style and Strengths
Brian Burns combines exceptional physical tools with technical refinement to form one of the most effective pass-rushing packages in the National Football League. His listed height of 6 feet 5 inches and weight of 113 kilograms give him a rare combination of length and power that makes him difficult for offensive tackles to contain. His ability to generate consistent pressure from the edge, combined with his strong hand skills and pass-rush repertoire, allows him to affect opposing quarterbacks regardless of the opponent or game situation.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Burns rookie season 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. His 2022 season stands as his statistical peak, with 12.5 sacks marking the highest single-season total of his career. By the conclusion of the 2023 campaign, Burns had passed Kevin Greene for fifth place on the Carolina Panthers all-time sack list, a significant milestone that recognized his lasting impact on the franchise.
Brian Burns Career Stats
Brian Burns has established himself among the most productive defensive players in the National Football League since entering the league in 2019. Over his first seven seasons split between the Carolina Panthers and the New York Giants, Burns has compiled elite production across every major defensive category. His sack totals, tackle counts, and playmaking ability have placed him in rarefied air among NFL pass rushers.
NFL Career Highlights
Burns earned his first Pro Bowl selection following the 2021 season and followed with selections in 2022 and 2025, marking three total invitations to the league’s premier all-star event. He was also named second-team All-Pro following the 2025 season after recording 16.5 sacks, the highest single-season total of his career. His 2022 campaign produced 12.5 sacks, making it one of the finest statistical seasons of any outside linebacker in the National Football League that year. Burns has also accumulated 384 total tackles, 13 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 28 pass deflections, and 1 defensive touchdown as of the conclusion of the 2025 season.
College and Pre-Draft Highlights
At Florida State, Burns distinguished himself immediately as a freshman by leading all freshmen in the country with 8.5 sacks in 2016. He earned first-team All-ACC honors in 2018 after recording 52 tackles and 10 sacks as a junior. His production across three seasons at Florida State made him one of the most sought-after defensive prospects in the 2019 NFL draft class. As a high school senior, Burns earned a spot in the 2016 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, joining the nation’s top recruits.
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Career Tackles | 384 |
| Career Sacks | 71 |
| Forced Fumbles | 13 |
| Fumble Recoveries | 3 |
| Pass Deflections | 28 |
| Defensive Touchdowns | 1 |
Brian Burns Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Football runs deep in the Burns family, and Brian comes from a lineage of accomplished defensive players. His older brother Stanley McClover also pursued football at the highest level and was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL draft. The two brothers share the experience of being drafted by the same organization, creating a unique connection between their professional football journeys. Their family background in the sport provided Brian Burns with early exposure to the discipline and dedication required to succeed at the highest level of American football.
Personal Life
Beyond football, Brian Burns has maintained a relatively private personal life focused on his professional development and community engagement. He is known among teammates and coaches for his professionalism and dedication to his craft. Burns is also recognized as a fan of the Marvel character Spider-Man, reflecting his interest in popular culture beyond the football field.
2025 Season Performance
Brian Burns enjoyed his finest statistical season in 2025, recording 16.5 sacks, 67 tackles, seven passes defended, and three forced fumbles while anchoring the New York Giants defense. His dominant pass-rushing production earned him a third Pro Bowl selection and his first second-team All-Pro honor, marking the peak season of his professional career. Despite Burns individual excellence, the Giants ultimately missed the playoffs during the 2025 campaign. Burns continued to build strong chemistry with the Giants coaching staff throughout the season, solidifying his role as the centerpiece of the defensive unit.