Panthers, DT Derrick Brown agree to reported 4-year, $96M contract

The Carolina Panthers and record-setting defensive tackle Derrick Brown agreed to a multi-year contract extension.

The team announced the extension on Friday but not the financial terms. Multiple reports put the value of the four-year deal at $96 million, with $63 million guaranteed.

Among interior defensive linemen, Brown's annual average salary of $24 million trails that of only Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs, Christian Wilkins of the Las Vegas Raiders and the Baltimore Ravens' Justin Madubuke, per Spotrac.

Brown, who turns 26 later this month, set the NFL record last season for most tackles by a defensive lineman with 103. He was selected to his first Pro Bowl and Carolina's new head coach, Dave Canales, retained defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.

The No. 7 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Brown has appeared in 66 games (63 starts) over four seasons. He has tallied 245 tackles, 48 quarterback hits, eight sacks and two interceptions.

Brown will be counted on to lead the improvement on defense for the Panthers, who finished 2-15 last season.

The team begins its offseason program next week.