The Carolina Panthers were faced with a difficult situation earlier this calendar year when starting left tackle Ickem Ekwonu suffered a torn patellar tendon in the team’s Wild Card Round loss to the Los Angeles Rams, adding uncertainty to the team’s short and long-term future at the position.

When Ekwonu was drafted sixth overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Panthers were banking on having a franchise pillar to protect their quarterback for years to come. This severe injury will likely knock Ekwonu out for the entire 2026 season, which happens to be the fifth-year option of his rookie contract with no remaining years currently on the books.

That forced the front office into action to find other potential options at the position. The first step involved signing Rasheed Walker to a one-year deal in free agency followed by the decision to draft Monroe Freeling with the 19th overall pick in the draft. With OTAs now underway this week, a lot of attention will be on that position.

Rasheed Walker takes pole position in Carolina Panthers left tackle battle

When OTAs kicked off on Tuesday, Walker was the first man on the field with the first-team offense during team drills manning the left tackle spot. Head coach Dave Canales cited experience and familiarity as the reasons that gave Walker the nod on Day 1.

“Rasheed’s an experienced player,” Canales said. “Has familiarity with our system, maybe the words might be slightly different from Matt LaFleur’s system in Green Bay, but a lot of carry over and a lot of great communication having another veteran player like Damien [Lewis] playing next to him. He’s done a great job so far.”

Walker, the former seventh-round pick of the Green Bay Packers, started 48 games during his first four seasons at an above-average level. Many expected him to have a stronger free agent market until the Panthers came in with a one-year, prove it, deal.

That deal itself is important because it doesn’t guarantee Walker any starting role, something we already saw taking place when the team started mixing in Freeling with the first-team offense as practice continued.

“We’re going to get these guys compete and Monroe’s going to have a chance to compete,” Canales added. “Right now, just the way that we’re doing things, Rasheed’s out there with the first group and Monroe’s got a couple of reps with the first group as well. I can’t wait to see that play out as we go into camp.”

Early impressions of Monroe Freeling after working with the rest of the team

The first day of OTAs was Freeling’s first real opportunity to start meshing with the rest of the returning players. Canales noted the benefit Freeling also gained from working next to a veteran guard in Damien Lewis and after practice another one of the vets in the O-line room shared some praise for the rookie.

“I like Monroe. I played with him a little bit today, actually, for the first time. He’s quiet right now, but he seems with it,” veteran right guard Rob Hunt said. “He seems like a smart kid. He’s a big, physical, good-looking guy. He got a good physique on him. I’m excited to see what he can do. He looked the part for sure.”

Along with taking a few first team reps at left tackle, the Panthers also moved Freeling around at other positions during practice. That lines up with what Canales said after the draft about Freeling’s potential to be a swing tackle in Year 1 and the sixth offensive lineman in certain packages, even if he doesn’t win the starting left tackle job.

“We got him in a right (tackle) a little bit yesterday,” offensive coordinator Brad Idzik said on Wednesday. “He worked both. I think cross-training for all of our guys is invaluable. We have a lot of different mixtures as you go throughout the season, a lot of uncontrolled variables pop up where you have to play guys at different spots.”

Is there still a role for Ickey Ekwonu on this team in 2026 and in the future?

Going back to Ekwonu, the coaches and fellow players have been impressed with the contributions the former top draft pick has had with the team this offseason, despite going through an extensive rehab process.

“Right when the season ended, this man has been in the building. He’s been engaged in who we are as a culture. He’s always present,” Brad Idzik said. “This is not a guy that’s going through his rehab process on his own and is disconnected from the team. This guy loves the Carolina Panthers and he loves what we’re about. He’s a big part of that O-line room. I can’t commend him enough for the heartbeat. He still is a big part of that room. How he’s attacking this rehab, really excited to see once he gets back onto the field, just to see him be a part of everything that he’s invested these first two years with us.”

After starting 64 out of 64 games for the Panthers since being drafted, it’s a delicate situation for everyone involved. Ekwonu can only control what he can control for the time being while watching two new players compete for his former role.

“That’s my boy,” Hunt said of Ekwonu. “His spirits is great. Ickey is Ickey. He’s showing up, he’s optimistic. He’s showing up, putting in the work. You ask him everyday ‘How do you feel, what are you doing?’ and he’s going to let you know ‘I’m good, I’m ready.’ That’s good seeing him where he’s at. He’s working, he’s training his butt off… If I can bet on anybody, I’d bet on him.”

Time will tell what happens with Ekwonu’s future with the team and the future at the left tackle position as the year continues to progress.