Derrick Brown’s 2026 Defense Surge | Carolina Panthers News

Derrick Brown is back, and the Carolina Panthers’ defense is finally looking like it can compete. After a brutal 2024 marked by a season-ending knee injury and a league-worst run defense, Brown returned in 2025 to play every snap and lead a dramatic turnaround. He’s now ranked twelfth among interior defenders by Pro Football Focus, with five sacks, eleven quarterback hits, and a defense that allowed just over 123 rushing yards per game. At just 28, he’s primed for a resurgence — and with a new-look roster around him, Brown could be on the cusp of reclaiming his Pro Bowl form and becoming a dominant force again in 2026. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/3921e5829b94a1d8