Ikem Ekwonu

Panthers exercised LT Ikem Ekwonu’s fifth-year team option for 2026.

Ikwonu is still refining his pass-protection skills, but has proven himself to be very good in the run game, earning a 66.2 PFF pass-blocking grade and an 80.5 PFF run-blocking grade last year. He, unfortunately, allowed the highest quarterback pressure rate of his career last year (7.0 percent) but did manage to reduce the number of times he was beaten by a defender from 34 to 21 in the season prior. Tacking on the fifth year allows the Panthers to further evaluate him without making a serious long-term investment.