Debating who’s the best choice for left tackle going into Panthers’ training camp
The Carolina Panthers have a question mark at left tackle. Free-agent addition Rasheed Walker and first-round pick Monroe Freeling will look to provide an answer in a training camp battle this summer.
The Charlotte Observer’s Panthers beat writers are breaking down the biggest competitions of training camp in a series called “Making The Case.” During our first debate, the beat writing tandem is having a battle of their own, between Freeling and Walker at left tackle.
Who should be the favorite to start at left tackle entering Week 1? Let’s debate:
Making the case for Rasheed Walker
It’s hard not to be enticed by experience, especially on the blind side.
With Bryce Young, Dave Canales and Brad Idzik facing all-important individual campaigns, going with the proven veteran over the long-term prospect — if all things are equal in camp — isn’t a bad idea. Walker has started 48 games at left tackle over the past three seasons, and he could be a dependable presence at the position during the first month of the season ahead of the Week 5 bye.
Walker isn’t a particularly dominant player, but neither was Ickey Ekwonu over the past four years. While the sidelined Ekwonu (patellar surgery) is known as a standout run blocker, Walker might provide an upgrade in pass protection for Young as the quarterback looks to take advantage of his improvisation skills.
Freeling is clearly the long-term play, but for at least Week 1, Walker makes as much sense as anyone, particularly with the Panthers’ tendency to get off to slow starts during the Young-Canales era.
Making the case for Monroe Freeling
Fair points, Mike. And let’s be clear: I think the acquisition of Walker was a great move by Dan Morgan and company. He’s young (26). He has abundant starting experience. He recorded a pass-block win rate of 94% in 2025, and he’s coming from a similar system in Green Bay, as Canales has pointed out a ton over OTAs. The Panthers got him on a great contract, too — a one-year, $4 million deal, which puts him outside the Top 30 among offensive tackles in the league.
But let’s not kid ourselves.
This is Monroe Freeling’s Week 1 job to lose.
The Panthers had a lot of players they liked when they were choosing at No. 19 in this year’s draft. They had a lot of roster needs, too, and frankly, left tackle wasn’t the most pressing, even with the knee injury of Ekwonu flinging his early-season availability in the air. Freeling won out anyway. That means something.
Put your instincts to the test, Carolina. Put your first-round draft pick to use in the most important season of the Bryce Young era to date. Trust your scout. If experience is so important, let your most talented left tackle gain it as early and often as you can. Starting with Week 1.
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Who will win the Panthers’ left tackle competition? Vote here
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