The Carolina Panthers have announced they'll pick up the fifth-year option on offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu. He'll now be with the team through the 2026 season and garner a fully guaranteed $17.56 million in his fifth season. Carolina drafted the 24-year-old with the sixth-overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. Ekwonu has improved in each campaign since entering the league and was solid for Carolina in 2024, albeit a better run-blocker than he was in pass protection. Still, he's been reliable -- starting 49 of a possible 51 games -- missing just two contests last year with an ankle injury. The North Carolina State product will need to improve against the pass rush in order to eventually gain a lucrative contract, but he's been a fine contributor for the Panthers. He will anchor quarterback Bryce Young's blindside once again in 2025.
Apr 28, 2025 3:48 PM EST
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