The article “49ers expressed interest in trading for Brian Burns prior to the deadline” first published on NBC Sports Bay Area.
The 49ers were considering a number of pass rushers before the NFL trade deadline on October 31.
In the end, San Francisco made a big impression when they traded for defensive end Chase Young from the Washington Commanders.
But before getting their own pass rushers in separate deals with the Commanders, the 49ers and Chicago Bears showed interest in Carolina Panthers star outside linebacker Brian Burns, according to sources cited by ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Saturday.
The Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, and Baltimore Ravens reportedly contacted the Panthers over Burns, according to Schefter, and Carolina swiftly blocked any and all trade attempts.
According to Schefter, the Panthers were promptly notified of any and all trade talks involving their top defensive end, Burns, by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, and Baltimore Ravens.
The 2019 first-round pick has five sacks, ten quarterback hits, eight tackles for loss, 21 total tackles, and one forced fumble in seven games with Carolina this season. Burns just finished a career-best 2022 season with the Panthers, registering 12.5 sacks in 16 games.
After the 2023 season, Burns, who is in the last year of his rookie contract, will be free to sign with any team.
The 49ers can still feel good about their deadline acquisition of Bruns despite the fact that he is a better all-around player than Young. Young and Nick Bosa, the current defensive player of the year, are Ohio State products who now bookend a frightening defensive line.
