Panthers defensive tackle Derrick Brown has experienced a lot of losing during his five-year NFL career despite strong individual play.
He was not, unfortunately, a part of Carolina's gutsy finish to the 2024 season -- a stretch that bodes well for the future if it can be carried forward -- due to a season-ending knee injury he suffered in Week 1.
Now back at training camp and cleared for all activities, Brown is fueled to deliver for the Panthers in his return from meniscus surgery.
"I'm motivated as always," Brown said, Saturday, per the team's website. "I got a chip on my shoulder, being gone for a year, you know, it sucks. But you know, going forward, I'm going to give this team, this organization, the best version of myself."
The 2024 campaign marked the first in which Brown has missed extended time since joining the Panthers as the No. 7 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He was absent only one game from 2020-23 and ended that period with his first Pro Bowl selection and a big-money extension ahead of last season, only to have it derailed by injury right out of the gates.
Brown was forced to watch on as Carolina floundered in a 1-7 start that included benching quarterback Bryce Young. But the Panthers returned to their second-year starter just ahead of their seventh loss, and he caught fire to show all what he might become from there on.
Carolina won two straight games before a Week 11 bye and continued strong out of the break, putting the Chiefs, Buccaneers and Eagles on the ropes in one-possession losses. The Panthers went 2-1 in their final three games, which included offensive explosions of 36 and 44 points.
It still resulted in a 5-12 record, Brown's third time capping out at five wins as a Panther and fifth consecutive losing season, but a transformation seemed to be underway.
While the Panthers recognized such a change in trajectory following the season, Brown is impressed with the team's conviction to avoid resting on the laurels of what was a promising, but ultimately losing, season.
"Not to have success, but to come off and finish strong at the end of the year last year, and then seeing guys turn around OTAs and come out here and we washed that completely," Brown said regarding his teammates. "I see it in everybody's eyes. It's the level of effort that we're putting into team -- and I got to just sit back and watch it this spring. I didn't get to do much team, and I'm excited. I tell everybody I'm excited to get back with the team, do my role, do my part."
Of course, when it comes to Carolina's defense, the unit will gladly wash all of 2024 away.
The Brown-less Panthers finished last in the NFL in points allowed, total yards allowed and rushing yards allowed. While the passing defense was a little more respectable, ranking 23rd in yards surrendered, it gave up the most passing touchdowns through the air.
Brown, who despite being cleared is still working his way through an acclimation plan, nonetheless believes things can turn around, especially after going from watching the Panthers improve on the field to improve off of it this offseason.
Carolina poured resources into the front seven around Brown, signing defensive linemen Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III and spending a pair of Day 2 picks on pass rushers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen.
Young now has a year under his belt in coach Dave Canales' offense and is entrenched and trusted in the starting QB role, with a first-round wide receiver in Tetairoa McMillan to support him for the second straight year after the Panthers selected Xavier Legette the prior draft.
The pieces are there for a breakthrough.
Brown's excited he's back to being a part of it.
"Don't doubt us, don't doubt us," he said. "You got a lot of hungry people out here. If that's what people want to say, it is one thing, but I mean just inside the building, everybody believes, and that's more dangerous, so I'm excited to see what this team holds."