Joe Schoen, general manager of the New York Giants, believes in adding players through the NFL Draft and free agency. It seems like Schoen intends to take his biggest risks through trades.

On Monday, Schoen made the riskiest transaction of his two years on the team when he acquired outside linebacker Brian Burns from the Carolina Panthers. In addition to a fifth-round pick swap this year, Schoen is sending Carolina a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2024 second-round pick (No. 39). In addition, Burns, who was franchise-tagged by the Panthers last week, has a massive five-year contract worth $141 million with $87.5 million guaranteed. An further $9 million in incentives are reportedly included in the deal, for a maximum value of $150 million.

With new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen depending more on the front four to get pressure than former coordinator Wink Martindale’s blitz-happy scheme, the Giants sought to improve their pass rush. Even at the high cost of obtaining him, Burns was the finest choice available.

Bryce Huff and Jonathan Greenard were the best young edge rushers available, with Burns and Josh Allen of the Jacksonville Jaguars franchise-tagged.Huff allegedly agreed to a three-year, $51.1 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, while Greenard is expected to sign a four-year, $76 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings. Both players’ price tags reflect the difference in value between them because neither has been able to match Burns’ output or consistency.

Outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux, who recorded 11 1/2 sacks in his second season, should see less pressure from Burns. Furthermore, having nose tackle Dexter Lawrence command double-teams in the center of the line should help Burns.

The Giants now have a youthful defensive core signed through at least 2026 with Burns (25), Thibodeaux (23), Lawrence (26), linebacker Bobby Okereke (27), and cornerback Deonte Banks (23), if they activate Thibodeaux’s fifth-year option in the spring of next year.

Because of the “flat” form of Burns’ deal, the cap hits are not backloaded. His 2024 cap hit will be $23.5 million, and in the last two years of the agreement, it will reach a maximum of $30.5 million.

Burns, Lawrence, and left tackle Andrew Thomas will all have cap hits for the Giants totaling more than $20 million in 2025, 2026, and 2027. This puts them in a position to sign a quarterback to a rookie contract shortly. If not, the $41.6 million cap charge for quarterback Daniel Jones in 2025 and the $58.6 million cap hit in 2026 would be increased by those three contracts.

A potential trade up for a quarterback in the draft is eliminated by giving away Burns’ second-round pick, but the Giants still have other assets, including another second-round pick (No. 47).

If a deal comes up, Schoen has the guts to take it. There should be no doubt about that. During his two years, he has dealt a third-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders for tight end Darren Waller, shipped defensive tackle Leonard Williams to the Seattle Seahawks for second- and fifth-round picks, and traded wide receiver Kadarius Toney to the Kansas City Chiefs for third- and sixth-round picks.

The Giants were in a stronger position to acquire Burns after the Williams trade. Giving up the 39th pick this year was made easier by the extra second-round pick that was obtained, plus the selection added in the Williams deal gave the Giants an additional fifth-round pick in 2025.

To conclude that the Giants swapped Williams for Burns, however, would be reductive since it would miss the $141 million that Burns received as well as the $9.4 million that New York took from Williams’ contract at the trade deadline in order to help seal the deal with Seattle.

Burns has previously been under the Giants’ consideration. In the 2019 draft, former general manager Dave Gettleman attempted to move up for Burns. Gettleman was unable to close a deal, so he held pat and selected Lawrence with the 17th overall pick. With Burns and Lawrence now on board, Schoen’s makeover is taking shape.

For the Giants, Monday was a change. Two homegrown talents that Schoen inherited, Saquon Barkley and Xavier McKinney, moved away for lucrative jobs elsewhere.

For the Giants, Monday was a change. Two homegrown talents that Schoen inherited, Saquon Barkley and Xavier McKinney, moved away for lucrative jobs elsewhere.

Giants free agency: Barkley walking and Jon Runyan signing point to a change in emphasis

The franchise’s future was called into question by those exits. However, the Burns deal offered a timely solution. Because Schoen values premium positions, he wasn’t willing to pay a premium to sign a safety or running back.

With a top edge rusher like Burns, the stakes were higher, so Schoen went all in to seal the deal. While there is still much work to be done to turn the Giants into a winning team, Schoen’s blueprint for getting there was made clear on the first day of free agency.