LT Ikem Ekwonu wants to remain in Carolina long term but has no timeline for an extension

[WarPanthers89]

The Panthers have picked up the fifth-year option on left tackle Ikem Ekwonu’s contract. He is expected to get a long-term deal, something the Panthers did for defensive lineman Derrick Brown and cornerback Jaycee Horn in the same situation. 

The only question is: When?

“I have no timeline, honestly,” Ekwonu said Thursday, via Kassidy Hill of the team website. “I’ll let my agent and Dan and everybody kind of figure that out for themselves.

“But I mean, obviously, all parties know, all parties involved know I want to be here in Carolina long term. Hopefully, we can get that done. I’m definitely grateful and excited for this option.”

The Panthers used the sixth overall pick in 2022 on Ekwonu, who has started 49 of a possible 51 games in his career after missing two games with an ankle injury in 2024. Ekwonu does not turn 25 until the end of October. 

Ekwonu was born in Charlotte and went to North Carolina State, so he is home and wants to keep it that way.

“I want to be here,” Ekwonu said. “I want to be part of the glory days in Carolina, and I feel like we’re right there on the precipice of it.”

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/lt-ikem-ekwonu-wants-to-remain-in-carolina-long-term-but-has-no-timeline-for-an-extension

Edited 9 hours ago by WarPanthers89

[PootieNunu]

4 minutes ago, WarPanthers89 said:

The Panthers have picked up the fifth-year option on left tackle Ikem Ekwonu’s contract. He is expected to get a long-term deal, something the Panthers did for defensive lineman Derrick Brown and cornerback Jaycee Horn in the same situation. 

The only question is: When?

“I have no timeline, honestly,” Ekwonu said Thursday, via Kassidy Hill of the team website. “I’ll let my agent and Dan and everybody kind of figure that out for themselves.

“But I mean, obviously, all parties know, all parties involved know I want to be here in Carolina long term. Hopefully, we can get that done. I’m definitely grateful and excited for this option.”

The Panthers used the sixth overall pick in 2022 on Ekwonu, who has started 49 of a possible 51 games in his career after missing two games with an ankle injury in 2024. Ekwonu does not turn 25 until the end of October. 

Ekwonu was born in Charlotte and went to North Carolina State, so he is home and wants to keep it that way.

“I want to be here,” Ekwonu said. “I want to be part of the glory days in Carolina, and I feel like we’re right there on the precipice of it.”

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/lt-ikem-ekwonu-wants-to-remain-in-carolina-long-term-but-has-no-timeline-for-an-extension

Would love to have him at the right price, but at some point we have to start paying guys for what they are and not what we hope they will become or drafted them to be. 

[WarPanthers89]

And before any of you scrubs suggest that we shouldn’t re sign him…..you are wrong. Don’t forget we have had a revolving door since Gross. Icky is 24 and this will be the first year he has had the same head coach for a second year.

[WarPanthers89]

2 minutes ago, PootieNunu said:

Would love to have him at the right price, but at some point we have to start paying guys for what they are and not what we hope they will become or drafted them to be. 

You have a point but he’s been performing better as the seasons progress, and has had a lot against him as far as surrounding talent and growing into the league. You want to see overall performance pointing up, and he definitely is after last season. Left tackles don’t grow on trees, and he’s one of the better ones in the league and just now only 24 years old. Some rookies from this draft are the same age  him and he’s going into year 4.

[Captain Morgan]

14 minutes ago, WarPanthers89 said:

You have a point but he’s been performing better as the seasons progress, and has had a lot against him as far as surrounding talent and growing into the league. You want to see overall performance pointing up, and he definitely is after last season. Left tackles don’t grow on trees, and he’s one of the better ones in the league and just now only 24 years old. Some rookies from this draft are the same age  him and he’s going into year 4.

 

read this article earlier today, noted this....he's getting better

In 2024, he earned career-highs from Pro Football Focus in his overall offensive grade (71.7) and run-blocking grade (80.5) while earning a 95.9-percent efficiency rate in pass protection.

 

 

also like that he thinks we are on the verge of greatness....I can feel it....gotta take a step this season but I think we'll have a team unity unlike anything since 2015.  Canales is building the team, and the players are improving which coaching for the first time I can remember

Edited 9 hours ago by Captain Morgan

[ChuckWag78]

The sooner he signs a long-term deal, the sooner it will look like a deal over time. Cap is going to explode with upcoming TV deals. 

[jb2288]

I would love if we get this done this offseason. I think he is only getting better, he’s young, and this is the only season he’s had so far without absolute dysfunction. 

[Lurk21]

If we cut Clowney, we know why... freeing up money