We’re counting down the days until the Panthers open up the 2025 season!
There are 79 days until the first game of the season for the Carolina Panthers. That makes today Ikem Ekwonu day.
Ekwonu is going into his fourth year with the Panthers after a roller coaster first three seasons. He was drafted with the expectation of him being a franchise left tackle, and for the most part, he looked like he could reach those lofty expectations over the course of his rookie season. His second season did not go as well, and that made a lot of Panthers fans uneasy about his long term prospects. But the Panthers invested in help along the offensive line last season, and with a better supporting cast and new offensive system, Ekwonu went back to looking like he’ll at least be a solid starter at left tackle for the foreseeable future.
Ekwonu anchors the left side as one of the better run blocking tackles in the league. He played a large part in Chuba Hubbard having a breakout season last year. He has some cleaning up to do in the passing game and with penalties, but that can come in time with more experience and continually improving technique.
The born and raised Charlottean is locked in as the team’s starting left tackle again this season and will be counted on to protect Bryce Young and open things up for an ascending offense. He’s been trending in the right direction, and he has a chance to solidify himself as a franchise tackle going forward.