Brian Burns is turning heads in East Rutherford - and for good reason. The Giants’ edge rusher is not just having a good year; he’s having the kind of season that could etch his name alongside some of the franchise’s all-time greats. Through 13 games, Burns has already racked up a career-high 13 sacks, and with four games left on the schedule, he’s not just chasing quarterbacks - he’s chasing history.
A Career Year - and Then Some
Let’s start with the numbers, because they’re impossible to ignore. Burns has already hit 13.0 sacks, a personal best, and that production comes with more than just bragging rights.
It triggered a $1.8 million incentive built into his contract for surpassing 12.5 sacks and setting a new career high. But that’s not where the financial impact ends.
Thanks to escalators in his deal, his 2026 base salary will also jump by $1.8 million, bringing it to $24.1 million with a projected cap hit of $36.6 million.
Simply put, Burns has been worth every penny - and then some.
Eyeing Giants History
What makes this season even more compelling is what’s still on the table. Burns is within striking distance of something only two Giants have ever done: hit the 20-sack mark in a single season.
The names on that list? Lawrence Taylor (20.5 in 1986) and Michael Strahan (22.5 in 2001), the latter of whom still shares the NFL single-season sack record with T.J.
Watt.
That’s the level of company we’re talking about here. Giants royalty.
NFL legends. And Burns is knocking on the door.
He’s currently on pace for 17.0 sacks, but that projection doesn’t quite capture the kind of impact he’s capable of. Burns already has four games this season with multiple sacks - including some dominant two-sack performances - so it’s not out of the question that he could surge past that 17.0 mark and flirt with 20. If he gets there, he’d be just the third player in franchise history to do it, and the first in over two decades.
A Bright Spot in a Murky Season
Let’s be honest: the Giants’ defense as a whole hasn’t lived up to expectations this season. But Burns?
He’s been the outlier - the consistent disruptor, the tone-setter, the guy opposing quarterbacks have to account for on every snap. At 27 years old, he’s not just having a Pro Bowl-worthy campaign; he’s cementing himself as one of the most important building blocks for the Giants moving forward.
With four games left, the stakes are high. Burns is chasing a milestone that would elevate his name into the upper echelon of Giants pass-rushers - no small feat for a franchise that’s seen its fair share of defensive legends.
He’s also second in the NFL in sacks right now, trailing only Myles Garrett, who sits at 20.0. That’s elite company, and Burns is very much in the mix.
Bottom line: Brian Burns is putting together a season for the ages. And if he keeps this pace - or even takes it up another notch - we might be looking at one of the most memorable defensive performances in Giants history.