Source: Panthers, DT Derrick Brown reach $96M extension

TheCarolina Panthersand defensive tackle Derrick Brownhave agreed to a four-year contract extension, the team announced Friday, with a source telling ESPN's Adam Schefter that the $96 million deal includes $63.165 million guaranteed.

The $24 million per year average on Brown's extension is the fourth highest in the NFL for a defensive tackle. It trails only the Chiefs' Chris Jones, Raiders' Christian Wilkins and Ravens' Justin Madubuike, who all signed new contracts as free agents during the offseason.

Coming off a 2022 season in which he set a Panthers record for tackles by a lineman with 67, Brown took his game to another level last season after Carolina switched to a 3-4 defensive scheme under coordinator Ejiro Evero.

Brown posted a defensive lineman-record 103 tackles and led the NFL with a 47% run stop win rate, according to ESPN Analytics/NFL Next Gen. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound Brown rarely came off the field, playing in 89% of the Panthers' snaps, and he was named a Pro Bowler for the first time.

The No. 7 overall pick in 2020, Brown has 245 tackles and eight sacks during his four-year career in Carolina.

Brown, 25, had one year left on his deal and is now tied to Carolina through the 2028 season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.