Ekwonu aims for bounceback with revamped Panthers o-line

CAROLINA PANTHERS

After enduring a steep drop in productivity in 2023, Carolina Panthers left tackle Ikem Ekwonu looks to get back on track under new coach Dave Canales’ run-first offensive scheme.

Asked about one of his former player’s NFL struggles in February, Chad Grier closed his eyes and tilted his head down and to the left to reflect on Carolina Panthers tackle Ikem Ekwonu’s situation.

Coming off a strong second half to his rookie campaign in 2022, Ekwonu was expected to continue growing into a lynchpin left tackle last season. Instead, the former Providence Day standout scuffled with coach Frank Reich’s offensive scheme and digressed with pass protection responsibilities as the Panthers disintegrated into a league-worst 2-15 debacle.

Grier laughed when asked if he had any advice for Ekwonu, who stood across the room mingling with several of the region’s top high school coaches and players during the announcement of the Keep Pounding High School Classic at Bank of America Stadium.

“Ickey’s a pro,” Grier said. “He doesn’t need advice. Ikey’s going to continue to evolve and grow as a pass protector.”

Panthers quarterback Bryce Young hopes so.

‘Riding the coattails of that rookie season’

Young, the 2023 first-overall draft pick, endured a rough NFL initiation, compiling a paltry 73.7 passer rating, averaging an anemic 5.5 yards per pass attempt and absorbing 62 sacks, most in franchise history and second in the league.

The rotating cast of guards – eight on the right side and seven on the left – caused constant disharmony as the interior linemen were credited with allowing 35 sacks.

Was Ekwonu overconfident going into 2023? At the very least he appears more grounded going into 2024’s offseason training activities.

“I think one of the biggest things (is) I’ve been meeting with my coaching staff a little more closely,” Ekwonu said in April. “I feel like last year I didn’t really take advantage of the resources that I had available to me.

“I feel I [was] … kinda just, I guess, riding the coattails of that rookie season a little bit. Feel like I was at a place where I just wasn’t.”  

As a rookie, Ekwonu rebounded from a rough Week 1 and yielded just four sacks over the remainder of 2022. But things were different in 2023. Over 1,148 snaps, the 6-foot-4, 320-pounder was charged with 11 sacks and 44 pressures, 17 more than he surrendered as a rookie starter.

Ekwonu said he learned from last season’s mishaps.

“(I) wasn’t afraid this year to reach out and ask for some help (and) go over film with the guys, some of the new guys we have in the building,” he said. “I think it’s definitely helped me out.”

Panthers need new OL to cash in

Carolina invested heavily in the offensive line over the offseason, signing guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis for a combined $153 million and moving Austin Corbett to center. Young appreciated the moves made by new general manager Dan Morgan and coach Dave Canales.

Opting for a rush-first approach, Canales, who was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator last season, plans to take advantage of Ekwonu’s run-blocking strengths.
The passing scheme also calls for Young to release the ball quicker.

“It’s a great system for tackles,” Canales said. “We run the ball. We play-action (pass), which engages as a run first (and) it gives them a little chance to get their hands on a guy and be physical.

“And then in our pass game, the basis of it is to get the ball out quickly. When we do have to hold it, we’ll try to help our tackles as much as possible when we can.”

A year ago, Canales plotted for the Bucs to take advantage of the Panthers’ pass-protection problems, earning two wins en route to the NFC South title. Canales believes his new staff is designing ways to unleash Ekwonu’s potential.

“What does he do best?” Canales asked. “He is a mauler and we’re going to run the ball and I think when guys are able to just be aggressive and play to their nature, it gives them a lot of confidence in everything else they do. I’m excited where he’s at.”

After catching up with his former player in February event at Bank of America Stadium, Grier said he was eager to see how Ekwonu executes his new assignments.

“At the end of [2022] ... the identity of the team was playing great defense and pound the ball downhill,” Grier said. “It feels like the Panthers need to go back to running the ball downhill and he’ll be a dominant force.”

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