Brian Burns was the New York Giants' best player on defense in 2025, and he's about to become so much more this year.
Burns is the undisputed leader of the defense, according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, who also noted he is likely to be one of the few Giants faces in 2026.
Burns is coming off his best season as a pro. He finished second in the NFL in sacks (16.5) behind only NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, now of the Los Angeles Rams.
But with defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, and inside linebacker Bobby Okereke released in March, Burns is poised to take on a bigger role in Dennard Wilson's defense.
Brian Burns 'Stepped up' to Become 'Clear Leader' of Giants 'D'
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Schoen targeted Burns in the 2024 offseason, which viewers of the HBO "Hard Knocks Offseason" series may remember.
But neither he, nor Giants fans, could have imagined they were getting this player from the Carolina Panthers when Schoen parted with second-and-fifth-round draft picks to land the budding superstar.
Despite his eye-popping sack total, which landed him as a second-team All-Pro, Burns was remarkably consistent year to year between 2024 and 2025. Burns had more tackles (71) and passes defended (8) in 2024 but had 22 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery in 2025.
So Duggan noted Burns' ascent and why he's poised to take an even bigger leap in his third year in New York.
"With Lawrence traded and linebacker Bobby Okereke released, Burns is the clear leader of the defense," Duggan wrote. "The eighth-year veteran has all the requisite traits to be the face of the defense — he’s productive, works hard and has an engaging personality."
Brian Burns is Stepping up his Off-Field Work too
Burns' celebrity softball game made news because of Malik Nabers' struggles through it, but Burns raised $100,000-plus for charity, which unfortunately was lost amid the Giants wideout's injury.
But Duggan pointed out how the event cemented the EDGE's status as a charitable leader. So aside from leading the team on the field, Burns is likely to earn the Giants' most prestigious honor off it in 2026.
"The 28-year-old has continued to mature and has stepped up his work in the community over the past year," Duggan wrote. "Burns seems like a lock to be the Giants’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee this season."
