Bears Rumors: Team targeted Brian Burns at Trade Deadline

For the second time in the past year, the Chicago Bears have targeted Carolina Panthers’ defensive end Brian Burns.

Earlier this year in March, when the Bears were having trade discussions with the Panthers involving the 2023 first overall selection in the draft, the Bears had asked for Burns as part of the package that Carolina would send Chicago.

As we know, the Panthers countered with a list of three players that did not include Burns and the Bears ultimately received a package that included wide receiver D.J. Moore and the Panthers’ 2024 first overall selection.

This past week at the NFL Trade Deadline, the Bears circled back with the Panthers to express interest in trading for Burns according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

"The Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers — two teams that wound up acquiring other pass rusher before the deadline — both expressed interest in Burns this year, sources told ESPN.-ESPN"

The Chicago Bears renewed their interest in Carolina Panthers defensive Brian Burns at the NFL Trade Deadline this past week.

Burns is in the final year of his contract with the Panthers and has the opportunity of reaching free agency at the start of the new league year next March. However, there is an expectation that the Panthers will use their franchise tag on Burns if they can not come to terms on a contract extension.

For the Bears, the team pivoted to Montez Sweat of the Washington Commanders. The Bears sent a 2024 second-round draft pick to the Commander in exchange for Sweat and there likely would have had to be more to the Bears’ offer for Burns if they truly wanted to make a second trade with the Panthers. On Saturday, the Bears agreed to a four-year contract extension with Sweat worth $98MM.

One thing is clear, the goal for Bears’ general manager Ryan Poles at the deadline was to address the team’s lack of pass rush. Montez was the answer and is expected to make his debut for the team against the New Orleans Saints today.