Panthers sticking with Robert Hunt for better or worse 

TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Carolina Panthers guard Robert Hunt (50) sets up to block during a the Panthers' 43-13 loss to Tampa Bay on Oct. 25, 2026, at Bank of America Stadium.

Manhandling Carolina Panthers right guard Robert Hunt, Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Al-Quadin Muhammad flashed by to sack quarterback Bryce Young, a fumble. 

The misery didn’t end there at Bank of America Stadium. It was just starting. 

Buccaneers defensive lineman Calijah Kancey picked up the loose ball and rambled 32 yards for a touchdown, extending Tampa Bay’s lead to 17-0. 

Muhammad rushed so efficiently, coach Dave Canales said he didn’t see what happened.  

“I just saw the late win,” he said. “I saw color (and) Bryce saw it about the same time as I did, probably. They made a great play and attacked the ball.”

Moments later, with Hunt standing on the sideline with hands on his hips, Young walked over to offer encouragement. The next series, Young hit tight end Darren Waller for a 50-yard touchdown pass. 

Thus ended Sunday’s competitive highlights for the Panthers (3-3), who dropped an uninspiring 43-13 decision. The Bucs (2-5) compiled 258 rushing yards, controlling the line of scrimmage throughout.  

“We didn’t give ourselves a chance,” Canales said. 

The Panthers picked the wrong time to time to honor one of the franchise’s top defensive players, Luke Kuechly. With the Panthers trailing 33-6, the Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee received his Ring of Excellence honor in a halftime ceremony. Tampa Bay won 43-13.

“We got embarrassed, obviously, so that part sucks,” said Hunt, who has struggled through much of the season. The seven-year veteran entered Sunday with a 47.2 overall grade, placing him No. 68 among 74 qualified guards, according to Pro Football Focus. 

The Buccaneers, led by Yaya Diaby's three sacks, tackled Young behind the line of scrimmage on pass plays five times Sunday.  

Reflecting on the sack he yielded, Hunt anticipated a restless evening. 

“I’m going to think about that all night,” he said. “I just got to improve.”

Needs to improve 

Coming out of the off week, Canales opened his Oct. 12 press conference by publicly honoring Hunt on his marriage the previous weekend. 

“Big congrats,” Canales said. “The guys were fired up about that in the team meeting, but you know, this week has been about connection.”

Has married life changed Hunt? 

“Hopefully, it’s changed him for good,” Canales said with a grin on Wednesday. 

Leading up to Sunday, Canales and offensive coordinator Brad Idzik worked on getting Hunt to perform like he did during his 2024 Pro Bowl campaign. Hunt suffered a torn left biceps tendon in Week 2 last season but returned for the NFC Wild Card loss to the Los Angeles Rams. 

Hunt has experienced a lot since joining the franchise in 2024, agreeing to a five-year, $100 million deal. 

Uniting with left guard Damien Lewis to reshape Carolina’s troubled offensive line, the duo immediately made a difference, cutting the Panthers’ sack total from 65 in 2023 to 36 in ‘24. 
This season, the return on Hunt's multi-year investment remains minimal.  

Despite an 84.7 pass-blocking grade during last week’s win against Philadelphia, per PFF, Hunt registered a team-low 39.8 mark for run blocking. Penalized twice for illegally moving downfield on passes, he earned an overall game grade of 41.1, the lowest among offensive linemen. 

With right tackle Taylor Moton (blood clots) missing the opening four games, Hunt started the season with two new linemates, first-round draft pick Monroe Freeling and free agent Luke Fortner. 
Idzik said it takes time to develop on-field trust.

“It’s two new guys, right?”  Idzik said Thursday. “You’re sitting next to a rookie at right tackle and a new center. I think that’s often overlooked of how important it is to have those banked full-speed reps together and trust the guy next to me. 

“I know exactly what he’s going to do on these different looks, these different combos, these pass-offs and stunts. And those guys are settling in.” 

Taylor Moton suffers a bad break  

Carolina’s inconsistent line could remain shorthanded for a “significant” amount of time, Canales said, after Moton suffered a broken fibula during the third quarter Sunday. 

“He got rolled up on pretty good,” Canales said. “There’s a fracture there.” 

Moton, who returned for Week 6, likely will be replaced by Freeling.  

“Just sick for T-Mo,” Canales said. “Working his way back, getting out there. (It was) just kind of an end-of-the-play thing.” 

Despite starting the season without their bookend tackles, Moton and Ikem Ekwonu (knee), general manager Dan Morgan reformed the line by drafting Freeling and signing free agents Rasheed Walker and Luke Fortner. 

The results have been mixed.  

In the win against Philadelphia, four of the five starting offensive linemen received below-average grades by PFF. Among the lowest grades, Walker (54.9) ranked No. 10, followed by No. 11 Fortner (54.2), No. 12 Lewis (53.5) and No. 14 Hunt (41.1). 

“I think this O-line is trying to get a groove together,” Idzik said.  

Entering Sunday, the Panthers’ No. 2-ranked offense averaged 404.4 yards per game, despite Young taking pressure an average of 19.4 times per game. 

The “MVP” chants that serenaded Young during back-to-back wins against the Eagles and Detroit Lions are likely over after two interceptions and losing the blindside fumble Sunday. 
Hunt shared the blame.  

“We just got to be better, man,” he said. “We’ve got to be better. You know, we put ourselves in a hole.”

After surrendering 22 first-half points on turnovers, lowlighted by David Moore’s muffed punt return and a blocked extra point that was returned for two Tampa Bay points, Canales said he’d never experienced a first half like Sunday.  

“I’m just really disappointed,” Canales said. “In every phase.”

With the Panthers scheduled to face the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night, Hunt said he will continue to focus on regaining his 2024 form.

For better or worse. 

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