The Carolina Panthers faced a challenging season, finishing at the bottom of the league standings with a disappointing 2-15 record. Hence, head coach Frank Reich was relieved of his duties, paving the way for Dave Canales to take over the leadership reins and steer the team toward redemption in the upcoming season.
In their quest for improvement, the Panthers have secured the services of Jadeveon Clowney and reunited Nick Scott with their DC. Now, their focus shifts to retaining defensive stalwart Derrick Brown, who impressed by his standout performance last season.
Derrick Brown’s earnings after the Panthers’ contract extension?
The Panthers have solidified their defensive line by locking in defensive tackle Derrick Brown with a lucrative four-year contract extension. The deal, worth $96 million, includes an impressive $63.2 million guaranteed, making Brown one of the highest-paid defensive tackles in the NFL.
With an average salary of $24 million per year, Brown’s contract ranks fourth among defensive tackles, trailing only Chris Jones’s record-setting Chiefs deal, the deals of Christian Wilkins, and Justin Madubuike.
This new extension ensures Brown’s presence on the Panthers’ roster through the 2028 season, providing stability and leadership in the heart of their defense.
The defensive tackle was originally selected by the Panthers in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He soon started showcasing his reliability by appearing in 66 of 67 games and starting 63 during his four-year tenure.
The 25-year-old player has accumulated an impressive 190 defensive stops since entering the league, showcasing his prowess as a dominant presence on the field. The Panthers have a new coaching staff under the leadership of head coach Dave Canales. This change is expected to bring about a defensive resurgence for the team. Additionally, Brown’s extension provides the team with continuity and stability as they strive for improvement.
Derrick Brown 2023 NFL season in numbers
Last season marked a career-high for Brown, as he showcased his prowess on the field by amassing an impressive 103 total tackles, seven tackles for loss and 15 quarterback hits.
This remarkable feat, especially 103 tackles, not only set a single-season record for a defensive lineman but also earned Brown a well-deserved spot in the prestigious Pro Bowl. Additionally, he boasted the third-highest snap count among defensive tackles, tallying an impressive 938 snaps on the field.
According to ESPN‘s metrics, he emerged as the leader in run-stop win rate, with an impressive rate of 47%. He also recorded a higher number of “stops” than any other defensive tackle in the league
His accolades continued to pour in for the veteran Panthers player, as Pro Football Focus bestowed upon him a stellar overall grade of 90.1 for his outstanding performance throughout the 2023 campaign.
It can be said easily that his on-field production this past season was the driving force behind his extension.
