Panthers’ Damien Lewis has been a hero in the trenches. His OC explains why
Damien Lewis isn’t seeking attention. But he’s earned it.
The Carolina Panthers left guard has become one of the major standouts on the field on Sundays at Bank of America Stadium this year. And while he’s rarely seen by the media in the locker room during the work week, he’s become a vital part of what the team is doing, both in meeting rooms and in games.
The Panthers have a top-10 rushing offense. They’ve produced 1,631 rushing yards over 13 games, and ball-carriers are averaging 4.4 yards per tote. Lewis has led the way for a chunk of that success, whether it’s been up the middle or on a pull to the outside.
But the 28-year-old lineman isn’t a one-trick pony. Pro Football Focus credits him with just one sack allowed through 12 games. He’s owning in pass protection amid the chaos of an ever-evolving offensive line injury turnstile at center and right guard.
“You start with the athlete — D-Lew is phenomenal — like, his strength is ridiculous,” offensive coordinator Brad Idzik said Thursday. “If you try to give him a (defensive line) look on scout team, you’ll figure it out right away that his half-punch is a full punch for many others. But then, you watch him pull, you watch him move, his re-direct in pass pro for a guy his size, and his anchor as well — coupling with that strength — so, the athlete, he’s got everything you want to be a phenomenal guard.”
The 6-foot-3, 332-pound lineman signed a four-year, $53 million contract with the Panthers in 2024.
But it was easy to lose sight of Lewis’s acquisition at the time, especially with future Pro Bowl right guard Robert Hunt agreeing to a five-year, $100 million deal on the same day. The Panthers were rebuilding their 53-man roster, and Lewis was just expected to be a cog in the machine.
Since arriving in town, though, he’s been more than that. He’s been a leader-by-example and an absolute workhorse in the trenches.
Idzik and head coach Dave Canales have known Lewis since his rookie season in Seattle in 2020. The then-first-year player out of LSU impressed Idzik with his football IQ immediately.
So, when Lewis became a free agent in Canales’ first year as a head coach, the Panthers pounced at the opportunity to add him to the fold.
“He comes off as a quiet guy, but when he speaks it opens up the world to see this guy is smart,” Idzik said. “I just remember him as a rookie going through rookie meetings with a lot of those guys. Get a smaller group, start to test them like, ‘Do you know these words? Talk to me about this scheme.’ You go through the draft process and then have them talk about their own offense, and this guy just oozes football knowledge.”
“You can’t let the quiet demeanor in the hallway kind of distract you from the intelligence he has upstairs,” Idzik added. “So, you couple that whole thing together (with the athleticism), and you’ve got a really good player.”
The Panthers’ offensive line has dealt with several injuries this season, but Lewis has been one of the few consistently dependable blockers.
He missed the Week 7 win against the New York Jets with a shoulder injury, but he has otherwise been sturdy.
“Knock on wood — his durability for us has been great,” Idzik said. “It’s been something he really takes pride in. He’s got everybody working for him to make sure he gets to game week, too. I think he’s done a great job. ... I know the other (linemen) have been in and out, all working to stay healthy, but D-Lew has been the model of consistency that way.”
Lewis has teamed up with left tackle Ickey Ekwonu to become one of the best left-sided run-blocking duos in football.
He has also brought a sense of calm to pass protection, giving quarterback Bryce Young plenty of time to survey the field when his first read isn’t open.
“It’s just always good to look over on the left side and see 68 there,” Idzik said.
As Lewis closes out his second season with the Panthers, he should be squarely on the Pro Bowl radar. Like Hunt last year, Lewis has clearly been the strongest link in the offensive line chain this season.
While most spectators aren’t focused on the big guys up front, when Lewis makes a big play it’s hard to ignore it. And as fans fill out their Pro Bowl voting ballots, they should try to remember some of his greatest hits.
For now, though, Lewis is simply pushing forward as the Panthers try to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017. The Canton, Miss., native can help them get to the postseason by continuing to dominate at the line of scrimmage.
Quick hits
- Canales confirmed Wednesday that Cade Mays (ankle) — who is expected to return after a two-game absence — will retain his starting center job in Week 15 against the New Orleans Saints. Veteran lineman Austin Corbett will start at right guard after filling in for Mays over the past two games. Backup Jake Curhan started at right guard in Week 13’s win over the Los Angeles Rams.
- Former Panthers defensive end Marquis Haynes announced his retirement on social media on Wednesday. Haynes, 31, was selected in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by Carolina. He played in 73 career games (3 starts) for the Panthers from 2018 to 2024, producing 104 tackles, 14 sacks, six pass breakups and a forced fumble. Haynes played in two games for the Panthers last season, with his final appearance coming in a Week 7 blowout loss to the Washington Commanders.
- Rookie wideout Tetairoa McMillan, the team’s first-round pick, is 183 yards away from setting a new rookie receiving yards record for the franchise. Kelvin Benjamin collected 1,008 receiving yards during his first campaign with the Carolina in 2014. McMillan needs to average roughly 46 yards per game during the final four games to set a new high mark. McMillan averaged 63.5 yards per game during the first 13 weeks of the season.
