Panthers' Derrick Brown leading march through offseason sessions

Carolina Panthers defensive lineman Derrick Brown enjoyed having company.

Accompanied by sizeable crowds at Bank of America Stadium, Brown spoke optimistically of his teammates' growing offseason commitment.

The Panthers on Tuesday engaged in the second morning of voluntary workouts. Brown called it time for "building that family bond."

Two days before the 2026 NFL Draft was scheduled to commence in Pittsburgh, Brown took a break between lifting and bull sessions with new and old teammates to address the media via teleconference. 

The 2023 All-Pro highlighted the Panthers' high-priced free-agent additions, edge Jaelan Phillips and inside linebacker Devin Lloyd, and discussed how they helped fill two major defensive voids.

"I think they're great additions to the team, right?" Brown said. "Not only do we want good players, but great people and both guys fit that category.

"It's just, everybody comes in and does their job and as long as you do your 1/11th, then we're more than welcome to have you here."

Panthers' Derrick Brown leading offseason workouts

Will Brown get more help along the line with the No. 19 pick in the draft? Panthers general manager Dan Morgan has "a lot of possibilities," but could land an edge defender to fuel a resurgent pass rush. In 2024, the injury-riddled defense yielded an all-time league-worst 534 points. Last season, while capturing the NFC South pennant, the defense ranked 15th in points allowed.

The defense improved, but the pass rush remained a work in progress.

The Panthers compiled just 30.0 sacks in 2025. Only two teams got to the opposing quarterback fewer times. Phillips, who signed for four years, $120 million on the first day of free agency, ranked in the top 10 in quarterback pressure rate last season. 

"The name of the game is get the quarterback, you know?" Brown said. "They're paying him a lot to it. I'm excited to see him go out there and go get it."

For now, Brown will have to settle for seeing Phillips and his other teammates in the weight and film rooms.