EXCLUSIVE: Panthers $96m star makes shocking decision.

When the Carolina Panthers’ offseason workout program started Monday, it came with the official signing of star defensive tackle Derrick Brown.

The Panthers and Brown agreed to a four-year, $96 million. Roughly $63 million of the deal is guaranteed, and it locked Brown up with the Panthers through the 2028 season.

“It’s an awesome feeling,” Brown said to Panthers.com reporter Darin Gantt. “I feel like the organization put the belief in me, and allow me just to be able to do what I do.

“Never put too much pressure on me, having high expectations for me always, but allowing me to just be who I am while doing what I do.”

With the contract comes increased expectations. Leading up to the new deal, Brown enjoyed a contract year.

He claimed 103 tackles during the year, the most for a defensive lineman in NFL history.

His play earned him a Pro Bowl nod at the end of the season.

Pro Football Focus handed Brown the fourth-best defensive grade among all interior defenders in the NFL in 2023. On that list, Brown joined players like Aaron Donald, Quinnen Williams and Dexter Lawrence.

Now the 25-year-old defensive ace is paid like he is among the elite echelon in the league.

“I think it’s no pressure but high expectations,” Brown said. “I know exactly what our game plan for the week is. Hearing you talk about it and being able to know just exactly what they expect for the week.”

Brown is among the elite and now he is paid exactly like it.