The Carolina Panthers are now through what turned out to be a strong first seven days of training camp. That opening run was punctuated by a competitive and encouraging practice on Wednesday, which saw the likes of quarterback Bryce Young and rookie wideout Tetairoa McMillan absolutely dazzle.
But it wasn’t all rainbows and sunshine yesterday morning.
Advertisement
Longtime starting right tackle Taylor Moton chatted with reporters following the session. And when asked about the possibility of this summer being his last in the Carolinas, the 30-year-old lineman uncharacteristically expressed quite a bit of emotion . . .
Moton’s rawness in that moment shed a light on his uncertain future as a Panther. With this being the final year of his contract and with the questions surrounding his health going into Year No. 9 and beyond, Moton—who missed the first three games of his NFL career in 2024—may not be around come 2026.
Then, shortly after Moton’s media availability, Panthers executive vice president of football operations Brandt Tilis took the lectern and spoke about the situation.
Advertisement
“So any conversations that we have with Taylor and his agents, or any player and their agents, we just keep between us,” Tilis stated. “As far as Taylor himself goes, I did see him get a little emotional up here. That’s hard. That’s the hard part of our business—that somebody pours their whole life into this, like Taylor has, and he’s faced with potentially going to a new place next year.
“But, at the same time, we are gonna make the best decision for the organization. And if that means keeping Taylor here, then that’s great.”
Tilis had a similar sentiment regarding his team’s other starting tackle in Ikem Ekwonu, who is also up for a new contract.
“With Ickey in particular and his situation, it’s really hard and tricky to get deals done for players after their third year who are first-round picks and are still ascending,” he said of Ekwonu, who had his fifth-year option exercised in the spring. “So, like, we just keep on managing that. As far as the conversations go with his agent, again, just keep that between us. But Ickey’s an ascending player and I think we’re gonna see the best version of him in 2025.”
Advertisement
We saw the best version of the former sixth overall selection, at least so far, in 2024. Ekwonu had a solid bounce-back offering from his disappointing sophomore showing, helping solidify what was the most cohesive trench the Panthers offense has had in some time.
But this upcoming season, as Tilis alluded to, could have a major effect on the outlooks of both Moton and Ekwonu. If Moton does not hold up and Ekwonu does not keep ascending, then the Panthers could be rostering two different bookends in a few years’ time.
And while Tilis and general manager Dan Morgan will hope to avoid this predicament, it is difficult not to notice the other priorities that may lie ahead for the front office.
Carolina might need to find new starters at linebacker, cornerback, safety, center and potentially right tackle after this year. 2026 may bring about another busy offseason for the Panthers, who just spent the last handful of months reconstructing the NFL’s worst defensive line.
Advertisement
Not to mention, Young could be in line for a new pact as well if he continues on as the franchise passer.
So—somehow, some way—the Panthers must be able to do what’s best for the organization while maintaining the continuity and stability their offense has benefitted from.
Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers entering a predicament with OTs Ikem Ekwonu, Taylor Moton