How can Carolina Panthers improve offensive line play with Ikem Ekwonu staying at LT?

The Panthers will have a familiar face at left tackle in 2024. But that doesn’t mean the team won’t upgrade the offensive line this offseason.

Last week, GM Dan Morgan publicly stated that third-year lineman Ikem Ekwonu will continue to start at left tackle under new head coach Dave Canales.

Morgan acknowledged the Panthers broached the subject of moving Ekwonu inside to guard, but they ultimately felt him protecting second-year quarterback Bryce Young’s blindside was the best way to utilize his skill set.

“I’m excited to see (Ekwonu) develop under the new regime, the new offensive line coaches,” Morgan said at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. “I’m excited for that potential.”

Ekwonu, who gave up 11 sacks this past season, was the sixth player taken overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Changes still likely for Panthers offensive line

Despite the continuity at left tackle, changes are still expected be made on the offensive line.

The Panthers tied the Washington Commanders with the second-most sacks allowed (65) in the league last season. Carolina actually led the NFL with 504 yards lost from those 65 sacks. And while those miscues weren’t completely on the line, the pass protection unit clearly needs a substantial overhaul, through scheme or talent ... or, more likely, both.

With new offensive line coach Joe Gilbert now in charge, it would not be surprising to see the incumbent group compete with multiple new arrivals this summer.

“I think it’s pretty high on the (priority) list,” Morgan said. “I think it’s pretty evident that our offensive line struggled at times last year. We gotta get better in that area, and we’ll do everything in our power to make that happen.”

Extension for Taylor Moton?

Right tackle Taylor Moton has been the team’s most consistent offensive lineman for years. But he has a massive, team-leading cap number of around $29.7 million, which is the result of multiple restructures.

With no more guaranteed money left on his contract, releasing Moton would save the squad roughly $5.25 million, according to Over The Cap. However, it’s much more likely that the Panthers would look to extend Moton, who could open up a huge chunk of space — up to $13 million — with a contract extension.

“We’re still talking about all that stuff,” Morgan said about potential contract extensions. “We have time, it’s still early in the process.”

Uncertainty at guard

Right guard Austin Corbett is coming off back-to-back season-ending left knee injuries.

After sitting on the physically unable to perform list for the first six games of last season, Corbett struggled to regain his 2022 form, and he lasted just four games before re-injuring his left MCL.

Corbett’s cap number is currently $10.13 million. While his consecutive knee injuries are concerning, he’d cost more to cut (accelerated $1.52 million charge) than keep on his current deal.

As Corbett enters the final year of his contract, the Panthers could look to extend him on a short-term pact to lower his cap number with leverage on their side. An extension would save up to $4.1 million in cap space, according to Over The Cap.

A restructure would save $3.41 million, but that move would also create a ton of dead money in 2025 when Corbett’s deal is set to void. That doesn’t seem like an ideal avenue for the Panthers to take, especially with new EVP of football operations Brandt Tilis in charge of the cap.

“I think we’re going to be a little smarter when it comes to the restructuring,” Morgan said. “We’re going do things the right way, and not kind of kick the can down the road. We want to evenly distribute and pay year-to-year, as opposed to kicking the can down the road. So, that’s why Brandt’s here. Brandt is doing a really good job, and I’m excited for our future.”

While Corbett is likely to return as the starting right guard next season, the opposite side is somewhat unsettled.

The Panthers started five different left guards in 2023, as incumbent starter Brady Christensen tore his right bicep in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons. Christensen told The Observer in January that he’s ready to compete for a starting spot with another fresh start in Carolina. However, if the Panthers choose to upgrade the left guard spot in free agency, Christensen has the versatility to upgrade the swing tackle position behind Ekwonu and Moton.

The guard free agency class has somewhat intriguing headliners. While there are some notable veteran names like Kevin Zeitler of the Baltimore Ravens and Graham Glasgow of the Detroit Lions set to hit the market, the Panthers are more likely go after players under 30 in free agency for long-term growth. They’re also more likely to focus on the second-tier market, so Michael Onwenu of the New England Patriots — widely considered to be the top option in the group — could be out of their price range.

Jonah Jackson of the Detroit Lions, Jon Runyan of the Green Bay Packers, Kevin Dotson of the Los Angeles Rams and Robert Hunt of the Miami Dolphins could be worthwhile targets, as they are all coming off rookie contracts and are entering their prime years. Those young linemen are proven but still have the upside to grow as protectors for Young.

Still, price will certainly matter, and the Panthers still have considerable needs elsewhere.

“I think we have to add a bunch of depth all over the place,” Morgan said. “I think that we gotta add just really good football players who are tough, passionate, play with a chip on their shoulder, and again, have that dog mentality that we talked about earlier. I don’t think it’s just one thing, or one position we need to add to. We just gotta get better in all facets.”

At the center of potential change . . .

Lastly, the center position is currently held down by Bradley Bozeman, who has a $1.5 million roster bonus due to him on March 16, three days after the start of free agency.

Technically, the Panthers can legally negotiate with free agents as early as March 11 at noon, so a quick agreement and signing of a veteran center could lead to a major decision being made on Bozeman. The Panthers would only save $360,000 in cap space (and incur $7.28 million in dead money charges with $4 million left in guaranteed salary, according to Over The Cap) by releasing Bozeman before June 2, but they would still be able avoid paying him the roster bonus with an early departure.

Bozeman — with a turnstile of guards going in and out of the lineup around him — had a relatively underwhelming second season with the Panthers last year. And with Bozeman set to turn 30 in November, it’s fair to wonder if Carolina would want to get younger and more athletic at the position to protect Young, who took 62 sacks for 477 yards in losses last season.

The center free-agent market is also somewhat robust with proven young talent.

Tyler Biadasz of the Dallas Cowboys, Lloyd Cushenberry III of the Denver Broncos and Andre James of the Las Vegas Raiders are all coming off strong campaigns. Matt Hennessy of the Falcons and Connor Williams of the Dolphins could also be bargain buys coming off major injuries. Seattle Seahawks center Evan Brown has familiarity with Canales and several members of his staff.

And even if the Panthers were to sign a veteran center, they could still keep Bozeman with the idea of having him compete at left guard with Christensen, Chandler Zavala and others. The team could then monitor Bozeman’s progress at a new position during the offseason program before deciding on his future ahead of training camp as potential post-June 1 release.

Ultimately, the Panthers’ most logical gateway for offensive line improvement is within the interior group.

With a 5-foot-10, 204-pound quarterback in the pocket, the middle of the line needs to create a safe area for Young to step up and toss the ball down the field for big plays.

Said Morgan: “I think that’s really important to us right now.”