Cat Scratch Reader
The Panthers offensive line may be fine in 2025, but there are some future concerns that can’t go ignored
For a team who had rotated through decision makers who constantly preached a “building through the trenches” philosophy to team building, it was rare that the Carolina Panthers put their money where their mouth was. When Dan Morgan was promoted to General Manager and fans were once again promised that the building up the trenches was the number one goal for his first offseason, there wasn’t much confidence that it would actually happen.
Turns out he wasn’t lying. While the performance on the field might be debatable, Morgan’s first free agency affirmed his priorities as the team went out and spent over $150 million on the first day to bring in two above average guards. A couple desperately needed additions to firm up the interior of a line that rotated through double digit starters the season prior.
After those investments though, Morgan has yet to add any new consequential faces to the position group. No draft capital was spent on the offensive line during either of Morgan’s first two drafts and any money allocated for the offensive line in free agency in 2025 was spent to return the teams internal free agents.
In fairness, it was not for lack of trying. The Panthers brought in, or otherwise met with, plenty of lineman during the run up to the draft. In May, ESPN Insiders even noted “that if Mizzou right tackle Armand Membou was there [in the first round], the Panthers would have thought long and hard about it”. In the end though, the Panthers didn’t feel the need to force the issue and are relying on the returning group to continue their growth.
Time will tell if running it back with the same depth chart was the right decision for 2025, but if more investments do not start happening soon the Panthers might find themselves desperate and in trouble.
For the 2025 season, the Panthers are by far the biggest spenders on the offensive line thanks to the second years of Lewis and Hunt’s contracts combining for an over $36 million cap hit and the final year of tackle Taylor Moton’s contract accounting for another $31 million. Unfortunately, that’s the way it is in the NFL when you have not been able to draft and develop your own players - you’ve got to pay (or overpay) for guys other teams have developed.
So, where do the Panthers stand right now and what land mines are they going to have to maneuver going forward?
Right now, the Panthers have Lewis and Hunt locked down for the next 3 years at a fairly consistent price tag ballparked under $40 million combined each season. Should they continue to perform as they have over their careers so far, no one will be arguing over that price tag.
Among starters, the next long term option is Ikem Ekwonu, the 2022 6th overall pick who has had...
