{"id":704360,"date":"2026-01-25T17:11:20","date_gmt":"2026-01-25T17:11:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/704360\/"},"modified":"2026-01-25T17:11:20","modified_gmt":"2026-01-25T17:11:20","slug":"why-panthers-tackle-ikem-ekwonu-might-not-be-irreplaceable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/704360\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Panthers Tackle Ikem Ekwonu Might Not Be Irreplaceable"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Carolina Panthers <\/a>no longer have a good plan at left tackle. They had picked up Ikem Ekwonu’s fifth-year option, meaning he will not hit free agency this year and will remain under contract for at least one more season. <\/p>\n

Sadly, Ekwonu is unlikely to play at all during the 2026 season.<\/a> He ruptured his patellar tendon in the NFL playoffs, and that can be a 12-month recovery. Suddenly, the Panthers need to pursue<\/a> a left tackle. <\/p>\n

While it’s unfortunate and replacing Ekwonu won’t be easy, looking at other options may not be the worst thing in the world. <\/p>\n

Data shows Ikem Ekwonu is far from irreplaceable\"Carolina<\/p>\n

Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu (79) looks on before the game against the Los Angeles Rams | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Ikem Ekwonu has been pretty solid during his four-year NFL career. He hasn’t lived up to the draft billing, but the Panthers haven’t needed to seek out a new left tackle since then. He’s been dependable, too. <\/p>\n

Now, thanks to very unfortunate circumstances for Ekwonu and for the Panthers, they have to look at another starting left tackle in 2026, and that’s a contract season for Ekwonu. If they find someone else that’s good, it might be good to roll with them.<\/p>\n

Offensive Tackles this season pic.twitter.com\/Rk8AemkgEg<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Football Insights \ud83d\udcca (@fball_insights) January 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

According to this chart, Ekwonu is not as good as he might seem. His PFF grade is pretty solid, just a hair over 70. That’s better than Taylor Decker, Olu Fashanu, Christian Darrisaw, Josh Simmons, and Kelvin Beachum. <\/p>\n

However, Ekwonu is not in the good range of this chart because of a pretty bad missed block rate. He misses just over 5% of his blocks, which is not ideal for a pass-protector charged with keeping the QB’s blind side safe. <\/p>\n

Only nine tackles are at or above that percentage, which just isn’t a good place to be if you’re Ekwonu or the Panthers. They will have to find another left tackle for now, and if that left tackle proves to be a little better, it could be a blessing in disguise. <\/p>\n

Cost, availability, and more will determine who the Panthers replace Ekwonu with, but there’s a chance this injury and his replacement’s quality determine whether or not he gets a second contract from Carolina. <\/p>\n

– Enjoy more free Panthers coverage with Carolina Panthers on SI –<\/p>\n

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