Panthers pick up Derrick Brown’s fifth-year option, decline CJ Henderson’s extra year

The Panthers have made a pair of major decisions following the NFL Draft.

The team announced Monday that it picked up defensive tackle Derrick Brown’s fifth-year option and declined the fifth-year option for cornerback CJ Henderson.

Brown, the seventh overall pick in 2020, will make make roughly $11.66 million in 2024, according to CBS Sports. Henderson would have made around $11.5 million in 2024 had his option been exercised.

Brown is considered a cornerstone player for the Panthers’ defense as the unit moves to a 3-4 front.

As the initial first-round pick of the Matt Rhule era, Brown has been a standout for the better part of the past three seasons. Through the first three campaigns of his NFL career, Brown has produced 142 tackles (21 for loss), six sacks and 15 pass breakups.

Brown will anchor new defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero’s defensive line. He will partner with free-agent additions, Shy Tuttle and DeShawn Williams, to form a new starting trio in the trenches.

Henderson — the ninth overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020 — was acquired by the Panthers in a mid-season trade in 2021. Since arriving in Charlotte, Henderson has played in 27 games (15 starts) and produced 58 tackles, eight pass breakups and two interceptions.

Although Henderson has made the occasional highlight play for the Panthers, he has yet to carve out a permanent starting role in the secondary. He will look to earn that job under his third NFL coaching staff this season.

While Henderson’s option was declined, he could still earn a second deal with the Panthers with a strong 2023 campaign.

The Panthers passed up the opportunity to select a cornerback in this past weekend’s draft. The squad also failed to bring in a veteran cornerback during free agency.

Both decisions put Henderson in prime position to earn an important role in Evero’s system.