Who Should I Start? Charles Cross or Ikem Ekwonu

Saturday, July 12, 2:16 PM

Given Seattle Seahawks left tackle Charles Cross' age (24), position and status as the team's best offensive lineman, The Athletic's Michael-Shawn Dugar thinks that signing him to a contract extension before training camp this summer seems like an obvious decision. Cross is one of six extension-eligible players from the team's 2022 draft class, joining outside linebacker Boye Mafe, running back Kenneth Walker III, right tackle Abe Lucas, cornerback Riq Woolen and safety Coby Bryant. Shawn-Dugar adds that Cross should have a salary floor of at least $21 million per year on any new deal he gets. Seattle picked up the 24-year-old's fifth-year option back in April, but it doesn't mean it will prevent them from getting a long-term deal done before the start of the 2025 season. Cross is the unquestioned starting left tackle and will protect new quarterback Sam Darnold's blind side.

Sunday, September 7, 11:45 AM

Carolina Panthers left tackle Ikem Ekwonu (illness) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 1 contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 24-year-old has spent several weeks recovering from an appendectomy, and it appears he's not quite ready to return yet. His absence from Week 1 isn't necessarily unexpected, as Ekwonu missed two practices this past week and was listed as doubtful entering the weekend. Yosh Nijman and Brady Christensen are the leading candidates to start at left tackle until Ekwonu is ready to return.