Panthers' Brian Burns wants to be paid like one of the NFL's most productive pass rushers

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Brian Burns has been one of the NFL’s most productive pass rushers over the past four seasons.

Now the Carolina Panthers outside linebacker wants to be paid like it.

"Yeah," Burns said matter-of-factly with a laugh when asked if that’s his wish.

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Carolina Panthers defensive end Brian Burns (53) during an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers on November 27, 2022, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.  (John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Burns is set to make $16 million in the final season of his five-year rookie contract, but the Panthers are still hoping to sign him to a long-term extension. Whether or not that happens before the season remains to be seen.

"We're having conversations," Burns said Tuesday at the team's minicamp. "That's about the most I can say about it."

Burns has 38 sacks in four seasons with Carolina, 11th most in the NFL over the span. That's still well behind the 57 1/2 sacks from Pittsburgh's T.J. Watt, who set a new monetary bar for pass rushers when he signed a four-year, $112 million contract in 2021.

Burns is unlikely to command that much from the Panthers, but he's clearly a player on the rise.

Just 25, he's coming off a 12 1/2-sack season in 2022 despite routinely getting double-teamed and playing on a team that trailed in most games, thus limiting his opportunities to tee off on opposing quarterbacks in obvious pass rushing situations.

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Brian Burns #53 of the Carolina Panthers celebrates after a sack against the