Ikem Ekwonu Ready to Protect Any Panthers Quarterback
The Carolina Panthers have a quarterback competition on their hands. After trading for Baker Mayfield, the Panthers have a quarterback room led by Mayfield and Sam Darnold with rookie Matt Corral sitting third on the depth chart. It appears that Mayfield and Darnold will be competing for the starting role. However, first-round pick Ikem Ekwonu is ready to protect any Panthers quarterback this season.
“Whoever the coaching staff puts out there, you know, I feel like we’ll be ready to go,” Ekwonu said. “We’re all just excited to enter training camp. I feel like we all got full confidence in the coaching staff and whoever’s back there, I’ll be doing everything I can to keep him safe.”
Quote via PFT
After being traded, Mayfield expressed that he and Darnold can work together to help each other. This seems to be a consensus in Carolina as Ekwonu holds a similar viewpoint.
“Competition brings best out of everybody,” Ekwonu said.
Quote via PFT
Regardless of who is under center, Ekwonu will play a major role in determining if Carolina can have a successful season. Coming into the offseason, offensive line was the Panthers’ biggest need. In turn, the Panthers selected Ekwonu sixth overall in an attempt to improve the unit. The Panthers also signed former Ravens center Bradley Bozeman to a one-year deal and drafted Cade Mays in the sixth round to help add more talent to the offensive line.
Ekwonu is the crown jewel of Carolina’s offensive line additions. He is a terrific player and there is a strong argument that he was the best tackle in the 2022 NFL Draft. Ekwonu is a terrific run blocker at 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds, he is very physical. He also is very athletic for his size. At the combine, he ran a 4.93 40-yard dash. If that was not enough, he also has the versatility to slide inside and play guard if necessary.
At the end of the day, no matter who is playing quarterback for the Panthers, they should feel good knowing they have an elite tackle prospect protecting their blind slide.
