Brian Burns

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.

Carolina Panthers linebacker Brian Burns and cornerback C.J. Henderson, who remain in the concussion protocol, will miss their team's upcoming Thursday Night Football contest against the Chicago Bears.

Panthers head coach Frank Reich relayed the news to reporters on Tuesday.

Burns, a two-time Pro Bowler, has amassed 25 tackles and five sacks in eight games. Henderson has compiled 35 tackles, two pass breakups and a sack in eight games.

Reich had previously mentioned Monday that he did not expect to have Burns ready for Thursday, and now that news is official.

As noted by WCNC Sports Director Nick Carboni, both Henderson and Burns entered the protocol on Sunday, when the Panthers fell 27-13 to the Indianapolis Colts. The short week made getting both back implausible, as Carboni noted.

There are five phases in the protocol to allow players to gradually work their way back to the field. With both sitting out walkthroughs Tuesday, that all but signaled Burns and Henderson being out.

It's been a long and tough year for the 1-7 Panthers, who started 0-6 and have been struggling on both sides of the ball. Seeing two key defensive players suffer concussions and being forced to miss time only compounds the team's long list of concerns.

Carolina has notably been snakebit by injuries all season, including ones to cornerback Jaycee Horn (hamstring) and Shaq Thompson (broken leg), both of whom are on IR.

As for this week, safety Xavier Woods (thigh) and wide receiver D.J. Chark (elbow) notably could be out as well. Neither participated in walkthrough, per the team's injury report.

The shorthanded Panthers will ultimately trek onto Chicago in hopes off their second win. Kickoff is Thursday at 8:15 p.m. ET.

Carolina Panthers star Brian Burns wasn't traded at this year's deadline, but that doesn't mean he didn't draw interest across the league.

Burns was one of the hottest names on the market, and the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons inquired with the Panthers about a deal for the veteran edge rusher, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Panthers shut down any discussions for Burns and have no interest in trading him, Schefter added.

Panthers head coach Frank Reich told reporters earlier this week when asked if he was happy that Burns is still on the roster:

Oh yeah. I am really, really happy that Brian Burns is still here. That guy, again, I can't say enough about. He's our leader, he's a great player, he's elite in every way. I mean, we always knew we wanted him here so... glad about that.

Burns is in the final year of his contract and is slated to become a free agent this offseason. However, Schefter notes the Panthers will likely franchise tag the star pass rusher if the two sides are unable to come to terms on a long-term extension.

The Panthers selected Burns in the first round of the 2019 draft out of Florida State and he has emerged as one of the best pass rushers in the NFL.

The 25-year-old entered 2023 having earned back-to-back Pro Bowl selections and it's possible he'll earn another one this year. Through seven games, he has posted five sacks, one forced fumble, 21 tackles, eight tackles for loss and 10 quarterback hits.

Given his performance over the years, Burns is due for a massive extension. His market value is five years and $117 million, according to Spotrac, which used the contracts of Nick Bosa, T.J. Watt, Joey Bosa and Myles Garrett as comparisons.