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 Thursday at 10:51 PM 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 Thursday at 11:17 PM 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

[Aussie Tank]

Gotta keep him. Moton is the man we need to replace if his health is deteriorating 

[Waldo]

Extensions don't always have to be done early. He needs to play better again this year or he should get moved and they should find a replacement. I just don't see this one about the money. He improved his pass protection but needs a bigger jump this year to make him worth big time LT money. That or give him a shot at RT when Moton misses a game.

[kungfoodude]

6 hours ago, Waldo said:

Extensions don't always have to be done early. He needs to play better again this year or he should get moved and they should find a replacement. I just don't see this one about the money. He improved his pass protection but needs a bigger jump this year to make him worth big time LT money. That or give him a shot at RT when Moton misses a game.

Luckily it also sounds like he isn't chirping about the wait on the deal like some others have in the past. 

Also we have the flexibility of the franchise tag.

[Waldo]

4 hours ago, kungfoodude said:

Luckily it also sounds like he isn't chirping about the wait on the deal like some others have in the past. 

Also we have the flexibility of the franchise tag.

It's a good sign. All he has to do is keep improving. I also like having the franchise tag after his 5th year option but honestly if he doesn't take another step this year it might be time for another swing after a trade. He is good but a LT that is a monster run blocker just isn't as good as a LT that is a good pass blocker IMO.

[kungfoodude]

17 minutes ago, Waldo said:

It's a good sign. All he has to do is keep improving. I also like having the franchise tag after his 5th year option but honestly if he doesn't take another step this year it might be time for another swing after a trade. He is good but a LT that is a monster run blocker just isn't as good as a LT that is a good pass blocker IMO.

Yeah, it's gonna be a dicey situation depending on how it breaks. You don't want a Burns repeat where you are selling at absolute rock bottom or a Horn scenario where you are drastically overpaying for production that hasn't yet shown up.

Also, I think a lot will depend on how quickly we can fill that hole. The absolute last thing we want is to be replacing Moton and Ikey at the same time. That's a recipe for utter disaster 

[CanadianCat]

If we dont resign him, then we know what we are drafting in round 1 next year.. 

We NEED him to continue to grow and resign him. Motion's time is coming to an end, so we need to get that figured out soon as well. 

Replacing both tackles..............................................................