When you were in search of an inside glimpse as to how NFL trade discussions unfold, look no further than Tuesday’s episode of HBO’s “Hard Knocks: Offseason with the Recent York Giants.”
In a clip released ahead of the season premiere, Giants general manager Joe Schoen is seen chopping it up together with his former boss, Bills general manager Brandon Beane, while also speaking with the Panthers’ president of football operations and general manager, Dan Morgan, with the conversation sewing the seeds to the Giants’ eventual acquisition of star pash rusher Brian Burns from Carolina.
“You guys need to move as much as fix from [No.] 33? No? Just checking.” Schoen said to Morgan, who replied, “If I’m going anywhere, it’s going back.”
Shortly after Schoen quipped to Beane in regards to the Bills being unable to afford a top-10 pick within the NFL draft, Morgan floated the asking price for Burns.
“You wanna give us two ones for Burns?” Morgan said nonchalantly, which elicited an “oooh” from Schoen.
“No, I mean yes but…” Schoen responded.
“Or a one and… something?” Morgan replied.
Schoen responded, “You’re heading in the fitting direction.”
More follow-up conversations likely continued from there before a deal to amass the 26-year-old Burns was finalized in March.
The Giants ultimately sent Carolina a 2024 second-round pick (No. 39 overall) and a 2025 fifth-rounder for the two-time Pro Bowler.
The Giants subsequently signed Burns to a five-year contract value $150 million.
Burns had 12.5 sacks in 2022 and eight in 2023.
Upon arriving in Recent York, Burns said he intends to pay it forward by mentoring former first-round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux, who’s trying to construct upon his 11.5 sacks in 12 months two.
Burns was graded the thirty first best pass rusher within the NFL last 12 months in response to Pro Football Focus while Thibodeaux got here in at 92nd.
Beyond the Burns trade, this offseason installment of “Hard Knocks” may even explore running back Saquon Barkley’s Giants exit in free agency for the rival Eagles.
“Hard Knocks: Offseason with the Recent York Giants” airs on Tuesdays at 9 p.m.