CHARLOTTE — What makes a comeback player of the year? Is it someone who came back from injury to play a full season the following year? Is it someone who bounced back from a down season to have a career year? Is it someone who changed the complexion of their team upon their return to the field?

Or is it someone who is a bit of everything?

Every year, one player in the NFL is named the comeback player of the year. For a period, it began to apply to players who experienced a turnaround in talent or production over the span of one offseason. But last offseason, the Associated Press clarified language for their voters, saying, "The spirit of the AP comeback player of the year award is to honor a player who has demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity by overcoming illness, physical injury or other circumstances that led him to miss playing time the previous season."

A'Shawn Robinson has been in the league for over a decade. He's played alongside a litany of players, both at the top of their game and returning from the lowest of lows. He knows what it takes to create a player worthy of being called the comeback player of the year.

"A person that comes in day in and day out, being consistent like he does, doing what he needs to be, showing up when he needs to be, being a leader you need to be, talking to your teammates when they're down—that's what a comeback player is," said Robinson.

"Not a player who just mopes and does all that worry about themselves. He's more than worrying about himself. He worries about everybody, so it's not just about him; it's about everybody. He wants to see everybody succeed.

"So he makes sure he walks the walk and talks the talk, that way that everybody can see what he's doing, being their role model."

Upcoming award season aside, and the intricacies that are always wrapped up in the process, when one studies the landscape of the National Football League, there is a player who not only measures up to those standards but has surpassed them, bringing an entire team along with him.

Derrick Brown.

The Panthers are 17th in the league in total defense, and 13th in points allowed, after finishing last in both categories last year.

With two games remaining in the regular season, PFF has graded the Panthers' defense overall at 60.0, which is 24th in the NFL. The run defense is averaging 55.8, which is 25th in the league. There have been four games above 70, including a performance against the Miami Dolphins in Week 5 that graded out at 90.0 while the Dolphins were held to 19 rushing yards. In that game, Brown had three tackles, a sack, and a quarterback hurry.

"We're playing so much better," continued Horn. "It's not a coincidence; he's back, and he's helping, and I think this might be the most sacks he's had in his career. He's been balling."

He's right. Brown, who is currently averaging a 72.4 from PFF, has 5.0 sacks, which is already a career high and is the 14th most amongst his position in the NFL.

Brown's tendency to throw "other grown professional athletes" around has garnered a lot of attention on social media this season. Those experiencing it up close testify it's even more impressive than it appears on television…and also more lethal.

"Getting him back and actually being able to play with him has been cool," said outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum, whose injury in 2024 prevented him from playing with Brown until this season.

"His presence is demanded by each team, and if you go look at the film, he's manhandling grown men, throwing them from side to side, rag doll, making plays in the running and the pass game. You never know, he might throw them into you, so you got to be careful with him."

He might also throw balls your way, though, such as when Brown sacked Matthew Stafford in Week 13, forcing a fumble that Wonnum recovered and effectively won the game for Carolina.

"Just being out there playing with him is good," said Wonnum, "because I know that he's going to be dominant, make a play, and kind of help take some of the stuff off our plate too."

"The presence," said fellow captain Bryce Young, of what Brown brings most. "He's a guy that's vocal for us, he's a leader—having them in those huddles. When he makes a play, we all feel that.

"It's someone we can all lean on as a team. He's made a lot of really big plays and big moments, and even on the first down, the mundane stuff, he does so much that doesn't even show up on the stat sheet, and so much that does. So I think just the presence he brings, his leadership.

"We all rely on him, so he's a huge part for us."

Teammates honored that impact by voting Brown as the Panthers' winner of the Ed Block Courage Award this season. The award honors players "for their courage and inspiration throughout the season. The recipients stand as role models for their ability to overcome adversity while also serving their respective communities."

"Just his veteran presence and his veteran leadership," said Wonnum, referring to how Brown shapes the locker room."He does a lot with the young guys, talking to them and preaching to them about that journey and different things that he's been through, throughout his journey in the NFL.

"So just being able to see that off the field and just all the things that he's involved in off the field, it's good, man. I've learned some things as well, being a veteran."

"So (we) played a lot better this year," said Horn. "Not just thanks to him, not only him, but the whole D-line just, the way they gel together and the way they play together. But yeah, DB, he's a hell of a player, and whenever you get a guy like that back, it makes everything easier.

Added Robinson, "Having him this year, we see the effects."