Report: Panthers' Brian Burns Expected to Get Franchise Tag in 2024 NFL Free Agency

The Carolina Panthers are reportedly likely to use their franchise tag on star pass rusher Brian Burns this offseason.

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported Burns would have a "massive" market in free agency, but the Panthers are almost certain to not allow him to become a free agent. That would give the two sides an exclusive negotiation window to reach a long-term deal, but all bets would be off if a deal is not reached by next July.

Burns has been a Pro Bowler each of the last two seasons and could be on his way to a third straight trip. The two sides negotiated a contract extension throughout the offseason, but Burns shut down talks once the regular season began.

"I told them once the season started, I'm all about ball," Burns told reporters in September. "I can't give a thousand percent on the field and to my teammates if I'm still worried about contract negotiations. I feel like I owe that to them to be 100 percent, a thousand percent at all times."

Burns has been one of the few bright spots in a dark stretch for the Panthers franchise. Carolina has not posted a winning record in any of Burns' first four NFL seasons and currently sit an NFL-worst 1-8. The Panthers would have to win their remaining eight games to break the streak of below-.500 football.

Given the Panthers' decision to keep Burns on the roster past the trade deadline, it's a virtual certainty the front office will keep him next offseason one way or another. Burns would stand to make around $22 million on the franchise tag, but a long-term deal would likely approach $30 million per season.