Carolina Panthers make decision on LT Ikem Ekwonu’s fifth-year option
The Carolina Panthers have made an important decision on Ikem Ekwonu’s future with the franchise.
On Saturday, the team told Ekwonu that his fifth-year option would be executed, according to general manager Dan Morgan. The Panthers had until May 1 to make a decision on Ekwonu’s fifth-year option.
“We are going to pick up Ickey’s fifth-year option — just to kind of get that out of the way,” Morgan said following the draft. “I just actually notified him, and figured I’d get that out of the way before I talked to you guys.”
The 2022 first-round pick will now see his deal extended through the 2026 season. His 2026 salary is estimated to be $17.5 million, according to Over The Cap. He will make a $1.1 million salary this season after receiving a $3.36 million roster bonus this offseason.
The decision comes roughly a month after head coach Dave Canales told reporters in Palm Beach, Florida, at the NFL’s annual owners meeting that he felt the team had found its franchise left tackle. Ekwonu, a Charlotte native, has had an up and down tenure in regard to pass blocking, but his run blocking has been a notable calling card for the Providence Day alum throughout his first three seasons.
Ekwonu, who played college ball at N.C. State, had a bounce-back year of sorts last season under new offensive line coach Joe Gilbert and run game coordinator Harold Goodwin.
Ekwonu allowed 11 sacks in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus. In 2024, he allowed seven sacks, cutting down the numbers of total pressures to the QB from 44 to 39 as well.
While the Panthers didn’t select an offensive lineman during the draft weekend, the team has made it a priority to build stability within the offensive line under Canales and Morgan.
The team signed guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis to massive contracts in 2024. Hunt made his first career Pro Bowl last season, as always-steady right tackle Taylor Moton continued his strong work next to him. The team also re-signed centers Austin Corbett and Cade Mays to compete for the starting job in the middle this offseason.
The Panthers also have a strong second unit as well. The team re-signed versatile backup Brady Christensen, while retaining backup offensive tackle Yosh Nijman on a pay cut. Chandler Zavala, a 2023 fourth-round pick, improved mightily in his second season and played well in spot starts in 2024.
Along with having his option picked up, Ekwonu could still sign a contract extension before the conclusion of his deal as well.
An extension would greatly lower his current projected cap numbers and lock him up for a longer term with his hometown squad.
This story was originally published April 26, 2025 at 5:51 PM.
