Brian Burns reacts to Dexter Lawrence II trade

In April, New York Giants pass-rusher Brian Burns made it known that he didn't "want to play this season or any other season without" having defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II as a teammate. 

Roughly one week later, the Giants traded Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals for the No. 10 selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. While speaking with Paul Schwartz of the New York Post at an event on Tuesday, Burns reacted to the trade that many Giants fans didn't see coming earlier this spring. 

Brian Burns: Giants are moving on after trading Dexter Lawrence II to Bengals

"Man, I’ve been in this league long enough to understand 'next man up' whenever somebody leaves," Burns explained. "I was just really going to bat for my teammate. He made a decision. It already happened. We kinda got to live with it. Of course, I don’t want to play without him because that’s my friend, along with he’s a great player, but we got some things out of it, and we just got to move on." 

Specifically, the Giants selected Ohio State pass-rusher Arvell Reese with the draft's fifth pick before New York took Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa with the 10th overall choice. As for Lawrence, the perception exists that head coach John Harbaugh didn't want a player on the roster who clearly didn't want to be part of Harbaugh's franchise reset. 

Brian Burns embracing new role after Dexter Lawrence II trade

Meanwhile, Burns began May as the Giants' only defensive team captain from 2025 and the longest-tenured starter on defense. The 28-year-old who tallied the second-most sacks in the NFL (16.5) for the 2025 season was asked if he now feels the Giants' defense is his following Lawrence's departure. 

"That’s how I’m kinda looking at it," Burns responded. "It’s kind of a nod to what I’ve done and the success that I’ve had, but I don’t take that lightly at all, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity."

Along with Burns and Reese, the Giants have 2025 first-round draft pick Abdul Carter and edge-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux as part of what should be a new-look defense. Unless a trade materializes this spring or summer, those four will be tasked with helping the team view the Lawrence trade as an addition-by-subtraction move.