Brian Decker is in his first season with the Carolina Panthers as the vice president of team development. Wide ranging, Decker's role encompasses several responsibilities from helping evaluate incoming players to developing players and coaches alike once they arrive.
Combining his military experience with the input of the general manager and head coach, Decker has developed a model and methods to assess the mindset of NFL prospects, using this information to onboard and develop the player approach to the game and team culture.
Prior to joining the Panthers, Decker most recently served as the Indianapolis Colts director of team development for three seasons (2020-22) after serving as the team's director of player development for two years (2018-19). He got his start in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns as a player personnel strategist and has consulted in all major professional sports on the selection and development of athletes.
An Army Special Forces Officer who retired in 2014 after achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Decker served twice in Operation Iraqi Freedom as a Special Forces Officer. His last assignment was commander of special forces assessment and selection. He oversaw the development and execution of the talent acquisition strategy to select future Green Berets.
Decker graduated from Eastern Kentucky and then earned his master's degree in defense analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School.
