Should I Start Ikem Ekwonu?

Thursday, July 10, 8:22 PM

The Athletic's Joseph Person writes that Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu appears to be next up for a contract extension after the team has locked up core players such as Derrick Brown and Jaycee Horn to extensions since Dan Morgan took over as general manager in 2024. Carolina already picked up Ekwonu's fifth-year option for 2026 that's worth $17.6 million. The 24-year-old former sixth overall pick in 2022 is the same dominant run blocker that he was at North Carolina State, but he could still stand to improve in pass protection. Pro Football Focus had Ekwonu ranked 126th out of 140 tackles in sacks allowed (seven) last year, even though he gave up four fewer sacks than he did the previous year. He'll enter the 2025 season as the presumed starter at left tackle for the Panthers.