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Left tackle is one of those positions that you don't mess around with. And to the Carolina Panthers' credit, they've gone out of their way to make sure the blindside is secure for 2026.
With usual starter Ikem Ekwonu recovering from a torn patellar tendon, the Panthers went out and signed Rasheed Walker—the top left tackle of the free-agent market—to a one-year, $4 million deal. Then, they used their first-round pick on the top left tackle of the 2026 NFL Draft, Georgia's Monroe Freeling.
Although who would start between the two in Week 1 wasn't immediately clear, general manager Dan Morgan did tell reporters that he expects there to be a competition between the veteran and the rookie. But who will come out on top?
Gary Davenport at Bleacher Report is predicting that Walker will take it, on account of his experience:
It's entirely possible that Walker will win the offseason left tackle battle and start Week 1. That being said, even if Walker does wind up in that spot, we can't rule out Freeling taking over at left tackle at some point later during the season.
Remember, the Panthers have invested a whole lot more in Freeling than they have in Walker—and it behooves them to get Freeling up to speed as quick as possible. He is simply a superior athlete and has a significantly higher ceiling.
Walker is not under contract in 2027, making Freeling the heir apparent to Ekwonu. So just because Walker wins the offseason battle, it doesn't necessarily mean that he'll win the war.
Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: NFL analyst names factor that will decide Panthers' LT battle
Continue reading...
With usual starter Ikem Ekwonu recovering from a torn patellar tendon, the Panthers went out and signed Rasheed Walker—the top left tackle of the free-agent market—to a one-year, $4 million deal. Then, they used their first-round pick on the top left tackle of the 2026 NFL Draft, Georgia's Monroe Freeling.
Although who would start between the two in Week 1 wasn't immediately clear, general manager Dan Morgan did tell reporters that he expects there to be a competition between the veteran and the rookie. But who will come out on top?
Gary Davenport at Bleacher Report is predicting that Walker will take it, on account of his experience:
It's entirely possible that Walker will win the offseason left tackle battle and start Week 1. That being said, even if Walker does wind up in that spot, we can't rule out Freeling taking over at left tackle at some point later during the season.
Remember, the Panthers have invested a whole lot more in Freeling than they have in Walker—and it behooves them to get Freeling up to speed as quick as possible. He is simply a superior athlete and has a significantly higher ceiling.
Walker is not under contract in 2027, making Freeling the heir apparent to Ekwonu. So just because Walker wins the offseason battle, it doesn't necessarily mean that he'll win the war.
Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: NFL analyst names factor that will decide Panthers' LT battle
Continue reading...
