Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

On Friday, the Carolina Panthers took care of one of their former first-round talents on the defensive side of the ball. The Panthers agreed to an extension with a player they expect to be a leader on the defense for years to come in Carolina.

The Carolina Panthers wouldn’t pay Brian Burns

The Panthers need to extend Derrick Brown this offseason after they traded away 2019 first-round pick Brian Burns to the New York Giants last month. The Panthers received a second and fifth-round pick from the Giants in exchange for Burns after Carolina’s front office could not offer an extension the star pass rusher wanted. Burns would go on to sign a five-year deal worth $141 million, with 87.5 million guaranteed.

The Panthers extended Derrick Brown

According to Ian Rapoport with the NFL Network, the Panthers extended Brown to a four-year deal worth $96 million, with $63 million guaranteed.

Brown is set to make $24 million a year

At 24 million per year, the 25-year-old will make about $4 million less per season than Burns. Brown is coming off his best career season. He recorded 103 total tackles and two sacks. Those efforts were enough for Brown to earn his first Pro Bowl nomination.

Per Pro Football Focus, Brown earned a 90.1 grade for his overall play last season. He was the Panthers’ highest-graded defender for the 2023 campaign.

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