The Carolina Panthers selected Ikem “Ickey” Ekwonu with the 6th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. That first round selection afforded the team the right to exercise a fifth-year in Ekwonu’s rookie contract.
Dan Morgan says they’re picking up Ikem Ekwonu’s fifth-year option.
— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) April 26, 2025
This option fully guarantees Ickey’s 2024 and 2025 base salaries. Due to his extended playing time, but lack of Pro Bowl selections, his 2025 salary will be the average of the third to 20th highest salaries of all offensive linemen. That means Ickey will make $16.04M in 2026.
Ekwonu has visibly struggled at times in pass protection, but a significant portion of those struggles can be blamed on a sophomore year under a disjointed and clearly dysfunctional coaching staff. He has, despite his struggles, started every game he has played for the Panthers. That is to say he started 17 games in each his rookie and sophomore seasons and all 15 games he appeared in last season. He missed two games in 2024 with an ankle injury.
The team had played coyly with both the status of Taylor Moton’s massive cap hit and Ekwonu’s fifth-year option in the days leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft. That was likely simply gamesmanship to disguise their priorities during the draft. Now that the relatively simple decision about Ekwonu’s option has been publicized, expect more movement on either Moton’s contract or other remaining free agents in the coming days.