Though Brian Burns has been the talk of the Carolina Panthers' offseason, he isn't the only defensive player who has free-agent implications looming. 

Derrick Brown, the Panthers defensive tackle, can hit free agency following the conclusion of the 2024 NFL season. He is entering the final year of his rookie contract. And if the Panthers elect not to extend him during the season, another Burns-like contract dispute could ensue after. 

But Panthers general manager Dan Morgan admitted at the NFL Scouting Combine that he intends to give Brown the contract extension he will be looking for during the 2024 season. 

"I think we will look to extend him at some point," Morgan said of Brown Tuesday, who is entering the option year of his rookie contract and could be a free agent after the 2024 season. "Derrick's a great player, a great person, and he embodies what a Panther is." 

Brown will make $11.7 million in the final year of his rookie contract. He was drafted No. 7 overall in 2020. 

If the Panthers extend him, the team can save as much as $8.43 million on the salary cap space.

An extension for Brown makes too much sense for the Panthers. Morgan knows it. Now it is a matter of time until he sits down with Brown's representatives and works out a long-term deal. 

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