Brian Burns Surprises NFL with Strong Pro Bowl Voting Finish
The Pro Bowl fan voting has wrapped up, and it has certainly stirred excitement within the New York Giants community. Outside linebacker Brian Burns has made headlines by finishing second in the fan voting for his position, a remarkable feat given the stiff competition. He trailed only Denver’s Nik Bonnito, who took the top spot.
Impressive Season Statistics
Burns has been a standout performer this season, not only for the Giants but across the league. He boasts an impressive tally of 15 sacks, resulting in a staggering 122 yards lost by opposing offenses. This performance places him second in the league, just behind Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns, who leads with 22 sacks and 160 yards lost. Additionally, Burns ranks fourth overall in quarterback hits, having achieved 27. He trails only Zach Allen of the Broncos (43), Garrett (36), and Aidan Hutchinson of the Lions (30) in this critical defensive category.
Contract Incentives in Play
As if the accolades weren’t enough, Burns has an added incentive to perform well. His contract includes a significant bonus of $1.8 million if he reaches 12.5 sacks, earns a first-team All-Pro selection, or secures a Pro Bowl berth. Should he be selected, this would mark Burns’s third Pro Bowl appearance and his first as a member of the Giants.
Other Giants in the Mix
Burns isn’t the only Giant making waves in the voting. Safety Dane Belton has secured a sixth-place finish in the special teams category. As the team leader in special teams tackles, Belton has recorded 18 total tackles this season, including seven solo efforts.
Left tackle Andrew Thomas, who had been hovering outside the top ten for much of the voting period, made a late surge to secure the tenth spot. Thomas stands to gain an additional $250,000 if he earns a Pro Bowl berth and another $250,000 if he is named to the first-team All-Pro.
Notable Absences from the Top Ten
Despite strong performances, a couple of Giants, including inside linebacker Bobby Okereke and quarterback Jaxson Dart, fell short of making the final cut after appearing in the top ten at various points during the voting process. Okereke, with 130 tackles to his name, currently ranks tenth in the league for tackles. If selected for the Pro Bowl, he would earn a $500,000 incentive bonus. This season marks the fourth time in five years that Okereke has surpassed the 100-tackle mark.
Looking Ahead to the Pro Bowl Announcement
The anticipation continues to build as the NFL prepares to announce the AFC and NFC player rosters for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games. Fans can tune in on Tuesday, December 23, at 10:00 a.m. ET to see if their favorite Giants will be among those selected. The Giants’ performance this season has generated considerable buzz, and fans are eager to see what lies ahead for the team.
