After losing three consecutive games, suddenly the Carolina Panthers’ path to the playoffs isn’t so clear. While winning the NFC South is still the most obvious path, it’s clear that the Panthers will have to continue scratching and clawing their way to the postseason. Yet, their recent downward spiral has caused some ripples ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, with teams calling about one of the Panthers’ best players.

NFL Teams Calling Carolina Panthers About Derrick Brown Trade

Even though their season has hit some snags, the Panthers have identified some clear building blocks on both sides of the ball. That includes defensive tackle Derrick Brown.

The seventh overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft is now 28 years old, and he’s got two seasons left on the four-year, $96 million extension signed in 2024. Yet, even though the Panthers’ defensive cornerstone is locked up through 2028, NFL teams looking to upgrade in the trenches have been trying to trade for him.

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Panthers have indeed received some trade calls about Brown, but they’ve rejected all inquiries regarding the one-time Pro Bowler.

Of course, it never hurts to ask, even if the answer is expected to be no. After all, teams didn’t expect the Tennessee Titans to trade Jeffery Simmons, but once the Chicago Bears offered two first-round picks, guess who got moved?

Yet, the Titans were out of the playoff race, whereas the Panthers still believe they have a shot at winning the NFC South. Still, with several teams hunting for upgrades along the defensive interior, striking out on Brown means they’ll have to turn their attention elsewhere.