Robert Hunt remains bullish on rebuilding Panthers  

DONALD WATKINS | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Carolina Panthers guard Robert Hunt, who signed a $100 million contract in the offseason, has established himself as a leader on the Panthers' rebuilt offensive line.

Standing on the sideline watching Bank of America Stadium’s north end scoreboard, Carolina Panthers guard Robert Hunt raised his arms in celebration Sunday after safety Jordan Fuller knocked down Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield’s pass.

At the time, the Panthers held a three-point advantage, but Hunt’s celebration was short-lived. The Panthers eventually fell 26-23 in overtime at Bank of America Stadium and Hunt took the loss to heart.

“It's a tough one, man,” he said. “I thought we were the better team, but we didn’t capitalize. In this league, if you don’t capitalize, you lose.”

Like the 3-9 Panthers, who dropped consecutive NFL contests on walk-off field goals after scoring only one touchdown and missing two field goal attempts in four trips inside the red zone. Taking advantage of running back Chuba Hubbard’s lost fumble with the Panthers in field-goal range, Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin booted a 30-yard kick to clinch the game.

“The game is on the line, and everybody is trusting me with the ball,” Hubbard said. “I’ll own it. Horrible way to lose.”

Emerging as team leader

With 11 seconds left in the first half, receiver Adam Thielen appeared to make an acrobatic catch in the back of the end zone. The back judge ruled incomplete, prompting coach Dave Canales to challenge the play. Upon review, it stood.  

While the officials were still debating the call, Hunt walked away from his teammates and toward the trio of officials. Hunt held his arms up as if to signal the touchdown should count.
It didn’t, but by Hunt taking time to lobby for a call, it continues to show he is buying into the Panthers’ system. Could Hunt be the offensive line leader the franchise has been seeking since Ryan Kalil retired in 2018?

Since signing a five-year, $100 million contract in March, Hunt is making an impact with younger players.

“I’ve learned a lot,” rookie running back Jonathon Brooks said. “Just by the way he carries himself in the locker room, how he goes about his business during practice. I think that’s a good person to look after just because of what he’s done in the league. I respect him as a person.”

Contending clubs generally rely on a core middle along the offensive line to move defenders out of the way enough to make a difference.

Like Hunt did in the fourth quarter last Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Trailing 27-19, the Panthers lined up at the 1 with less than two minutes remaining. When right tackle Taylor Moton blocked down, Hunt pulled around and brushed aside Chiefs safety Justin Reid as Hubbard cut inside for the touchdown.

Building foundation through OL

Coming off a dreadful 2-15 campaign lowlighted by then-rookie quarterback Bryce Young getting sacked 62 times, which tied a franchise record, the Panthers set out to improve the offensive line. First-year general manager Dan Morgan went to work and signed Hunt and left guard Damian Lewis for four years, $53 million.

Last season with the Dolphins, Hunt allowed just five quarterback pressures, registering the lowest pressure rate (1.3%) among qualifying guards according to Pro Football Focus.  Morgan identified Hunt as a cornerstone addition and made him at the time the third highest-paid guard in the league.

First-year Panthers coach Dave Canales has been leaning on veteran players to forge a new culture. To form a foundation, Hunt was signed through 2028 and Lewis through ‘27. Hunt entered Sunday’s game with the NFL’s 12th-best run-blocking grade, according to Pro Football Focus.

“We’re counting on all of them, coming together as a group to finally finish, to find consistency that we’ve been looking for,” Canales said.

Perhaps Canales will take more risks when they are presented.

Trailing 7-0 in the final minute of the first quarter, the Panthers sustained their first prolonged drive. On fourth-and-one from the 29, Canales elected to go for the field goal rather than run behind their $100 million guard.

With the game tied 10-10 with 1:45 left until halftime, Canales decided on a field-goal attempt instead of risking a fourth-and-3 play from the 27. Eddy Piñeiro, who entered the game as the league’s most accurate placekicker, missed a second straight attempt after connecting on 41 in a row.

Canales explained his decision not to go for it on fourth down.

“Trying to get points,”he said. “When you miss a couple, it makes you feel like we should be a little more aggressive.”  

In the seven-plus seasons since Kalil retired, the Panthers needed a replacement in leadership and ability. Hunt is in position to do so.  

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