Through nine weeks of the 2025 NFL season, Brian Burns has looked every bit like the player the New York Giants envisioned when they traded for him in the offseason. The explosive edge rusher has transformed the Giants’ defense into one of the more aggressive units in the league, routinely wrecking opposing offensive lines and forcing offenses to adjust their game plans on his snaps.
Burns has been the heartbeat of a defensive turnaround that has helped New York stay competitive despite early offensive struggles. His speed off the edge, timing, and finishing ability have made him one of the most disruptive defenders in football.
Yet as dominant as he’s been, the narrative surrounding the NFL Defensive Player of the Year race may not swing in his favor, and it has little to do with production.
Why Burns’ Impact May Not Translate to Awards Season?
Burns is putting together one of the most complete seasons of his career. Through nine games, he’s logged 11 sacks, led the Giants in pressures and quarterback hits, and registered multiple multi-sack performances, including a sack and a strip-sack against the San Francisco 49ers on Nov. 2.
#giants with 11+ sacks through 9 games:
Brian Burns 2025
Michael Strahan 2001
Lawrence Taylor 1989
Lawrence Taylor 1986
Leonard Marshall 1985— Marc Weber (@MarcWeberSports) November 3, 2025
Odds going into this week saw Burns at +3000 to win DPOY, despite leading the NFL in sacks in a crowded defensive line front. Why is that? The Defensive Player of the Year award has consistently recognized players from teams that are full-fledged contenders.
While Burns has elevated New York’s defense, the Giants’ record and inconsistent overall team performance may limit his recognition. If the team falls below .500, it’s an uphill battle to gain the same spotlight as defenders like Micah Parsons or Nik Bonitto.
The Bigger Picture
Whether or not the trophy finds its way to Burns’ shelf this year, his importance to the Giants, who rank 25th in PFSN’s OFFi, cannot be overstated. He has brought an identity and swagger to the defense that had been missing in recent seasons. New York’s front office made a bold move acquiring him, and through the first half of the season, that gamble looks like a clear win.
That’s the frustrating irony of the DPOY conversation. Burns can dominate his individual matchups, consistently pressure quarterbacks, and lead his team in almost every major defensive metric, but if the Giants aren’t winning consistently, those efforts risk being overshadowed.