How the Panthers made Derrick Brown's contract extension work

When the Carolina Panthers landed on a four-year, $96 million extension for star defensive tackle Derrick Brown it was viewed as a move worth celebrating. 

However, when breaking down the numbers on the contract, the Panthers may have just landed one of the league's best defensive tackles on a great contract to build a stout NFL defense around. 

Of the $96 million extension, around $63 million is guaranteed. That is tied for only the fourth-highest value among defensive tackles. If Brown keeps playing well, it will look like a steal in two years. 

But then it gets better. 

The annual cost of Brown's contract averages out to $24 million per year. Not cheap but not bad. For context, Kansas City Chiefs' star defensive tackle Chris Jones makes around $31.75 million annually. 

Then there is the cherry on top. The deal would mean Brown earns $49 million over the first two seasons of the deal and $72 million over the first three while playing for the Panthers through 2028. 

Where great contracts go, Dan Morgan may have taken the gambit.