March 12, 2026, 1:30 p.m. ET

To say that the Carolina Panthers are in a bit of a pickle at the left tackle position would be an understatement.

Their precarious situation began to materialize early on in the wild-card game against the Los Angeles Rams, when starter Ikem Ekwonu ruptured his patellar tendon on just the second offensive series. As of two weeks ago, the Panthers have yet to publicly establish a timeline for a return on the former sixth overall pick, who will enter the 2026 campaign on his fifth-year option.

Carolina may have also taken another hit on Wednesday night, when swing tackle Yosh Nijman announced his retirement from the NFL. The Panthers reportedly had interest in re-signing Nijman, Ekwonu’s understudy from the past two seasons.

And thus far, the only addition the team has made at the spot is in five-year veteran Stone Forsythe—who was, at least statistically, one of the worst performers at left tackle in 2025.

But luckily for the Panthers, it’s still early.

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Here are four potential free-agent solutions for their blindside conundrum . . .

Brady Christensen

Christensen, one of Carolina’s own remaining free agents, was the very top left tackle in the nation when he was drafted in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. And even though the Panthers—through multiple regimes—have seen the 6-foot-6, 300-pounder as more of an interior lineman, he’s proven that he has the chops to get back to the edge . . . as long as his recovery from an Achilles tear has a limited effect.

The 29-year-old recorded 123 snaps at left tackle under head coach Dave Canales in 2024, so there’s some trust. Plus, he offers incredible versatility at every position on the line including center—another starting role the team has yet to firmly solidify moving forward.

Taylor Decker

After spending a full decade in Detroit, Decker requested his release from the Lions earlier this week. And it was granted, leaving one of the league’s most reliable blindside protectors out on the open market.

The former first-round pick and 31-year-old veteran, per Pro Football Focus, allowed just two sacks in 2025.

Cam Robinson

Similarly to Decker, Robinson has been a sturdy presence at left tackle for quite a while now. He is coming off what may have been his most underwhelming pro campaign to date, however, as he allowed a career-high eight sacks while recording a career-low 48.2 overall offensive grade from PFF.

But perhaps Robinson can get his footing back on a prove-it pact in Carolina.

Rasheed Walker

Walker is considered by many as the top remaining player in all of free agency. So there should be little doubt that the ascending 26-year-old will be getting a relatively hefty deal.

Although they might already be cashed out after spending big on linebackers Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd, Carolina could consider somehow ponying up for Walker. If he is still hanging out to dry over the coming days, maybe he can be reeled in at the right price.

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