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The Carolina Panthers are exercising some versatility with their first-round pick.
Offensive coordinator Brad Idzik chatted with reporters ahead of Wednesday's installment of organized team activities. He was asked about the state of the left tackle position, where free-agent signee Rasheed Walker and rookie Monroe Freeling are to battling it out in place of an injured Ikem Ekwonu.
"We're just really excited about the competition those guys have both bought into," replied Idzik, who refused to label 2026 as a "red-shirt season" for Freeling. "We'll let it all play out as we go throughout the preseason."
Ekwonu's recovery from a torn patellar tendon has left the blindside open for that competition between Walker and Freeling. The former received the majority of first-team reps at left tackle during the opening session of OTAs on Tuesday.
Idzik then confirmed that Freeling is also getting some looks at right tackle.
"Yeah, we got him in at right a little bit yesterday. He worked both," Idzik said. "And I think cross training for all our guys is invaluable.
"Last year, I think we had like 12 units play. So, we have a lot of different mixtures as you go throughout the season. A lot of uncontrolled variables pop up where you gotta play guys at different spots."
Carolina's offensive line was ravaged by multiple injuries during the 2025 campaign. As Idzik stated, the team was forced to field 12 different configurations of the starting group.
Freeling's flexibility could help right away, particularly if he loses out to Walker. Over his three years at the University of Georgia, the 6-foot-7, 318-pounder recorded 1,102 snaps at left tackle and 257 at right.
The right side is currently manned by 10-year veteran Taylor Moton, who has felt the wear and tear of a long NFL career in recent seasons. Moton, 31, has two years remaining on his contract with the Panthers.
Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers OTAs: Monroe Freeling getting snaps at LT and RT
Continue reading...
Offensive coordinator Brad Idzik chatted with reporters ahead of Wednesday's installment of organized team activities. He was asked about the state of the left tackle position, where free-agent signee Rasheed Walker and rookie Monroe Freeling are to battling it out in place of an injured Ikem Ekwonu.
"We're just really excited about the competition those guys have both bought into," replied Idzik, who refused to label 2026 as a "red-shirt season" for Freeling. "We'll let it all play out as we go throughout the preseason."
Ekwonu's recovery from a torn patellar tendon has left the blindside open for that competition between Walker and Freeling. The former received the majority of first-team reps at left tackle during the opening session of OTAs on Tuesday.
Idzik then confirmed that Freeling is also getting some looks at right tackle.
"Yeah, we got him in at right a little bit yesterday. He worked both," Idzik said. "And I think cross training for all our guys is invaluable.
"Last year, I think we had like 12 units play. So, we have a lot of different mixtures as you go throughout the season. A lot of uncontrolled variables pop up where you gotta play guys at different spots."
Carolina's offensive line was ravaged by multiple injuries during the 2025 campaign. As Idzik stated, the team was forced to field 12 different configurations of the starting group.
Freeling's flexibility could help right away, particularly if he loses out to Walker. Over his three years at the University of Georgia, the 6-foot-7, 318-pounder recorded 1,102 snaps at left tackle and 257 at right.
The right side is currently manned by 10-year veteran Taylor Moton, who has felt the wear and tear of a long NFL career in recent seasons. Moton, 31, has two years remaining on his contract with the Panthers.
Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers OTAs: Monroe Freeling getting snaps at LT and RT
Continue reading...
