Giants Restructure Brian Burns Contract To Clear $10M Cap Space

The New York Giants restructured edge rusher Brian Burns' contract by converting $10 million of his base salary into a signing bonus, creating significant cap space to sign their 2025 first-round pick, Abdul Carter, to a fully guaranteed four-year, $45 million deal. This strategic move provides the Giants with greater financial flexibility ahead of the 2025 season, allowing them to manage rookie contracts and maintain team competitiveness. Burns, who signed a five-year, $141 million extension with $87.5 million guaranteed, delivered a strong performance last season with 8.5 sacks, 18 QB hits, and 17 tackles for loss, making him a key defensive player alongside Carter. The restructuring did not reduce Burns' pay but changed the timing of his salary payments, and the Giants still have options to restructure other veteran contracts to create additional cap space. Meanwhile, the team has chosen not to restructure left tackle Andrew Thomas’ deal due to concerns about his injury history, signaling cautious management of his contract. Overall, the Giants' financial maneuvering reflects a balanced approach to building a competitive roster while preserving long-term flexibility.