The ickey ekwonu question...

[strato]

32 minutes ago, PantherChris said:

Realistically he's probably not still going to be under contract when hes good to go again? Unfortunately for him you cant sign him for more than a small one year deal until he can prove hes still a good player... that might not happen.  I think hes played his last down as a panther.

Up in the air. It is a 6-12 month recovery. We will likely have a contract on him for a bit over 13 months so a little bit of a window could exist.

As we sit now, I would be very hesitant to use a tag on him. Probably against it. I guess we also have a chance to try a new LOT, so maybe we are desperate by then, maybe not. 

Edited Thursday at 08:17 PM by strato

[Jay Roosevelt]

3 hours ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I don't think you move on from Icky, but I do think you have to move forward cautiously and make plans for him not recovering from this. He's under contract next year and will hopefully be able to return for at least some of next season for us to get a look at him on the field in live action. With his serious injury question mark and Moton's age and whispers about his potential degenerative knee conditions, the potential for an early OT pick is definitely there. Honestly, I'd say it's expected. I'll be a little surprised if we don't draft an OT with one of our first three picks I just hope we don't force it.

The more I look at this EDGE class and the possibility that Sonny Styles may be gone before our pick, the more I'm liking the idea of drafting Kadyn Proctor at #19.

Even if Ickey comes back good to go we'll soon have a need at RT as well.

Edited Thursday at 09:03 PM by Jay Roosevelt

[PantherChris]

On 1/15/2026 at 3:16 PM, strato said:

Up in the air. It is a 6-12 month recovery. We will likely have a contract on him for a bit over 13 months so a little bit of a window could exist.

As we sit now, I would be very hesitant to use a tag on him. Probably against it. I guess we also have a chance to try a new LOT, so maybe we are desperate by then, maybe not. 

This isn't a run of the mill Injury less than 30% of players who have it return to form, I wouldn't count on a 320 pounder being one of them.

[strato]

Just now, PantherChris said:

This isn't a run of the mill Injury less than 30% of players who have it return to form, I wouldn't count on a 320 pounder being one of them.

30% isn’t 0%. As I said, up in the air. And we will be trying a new LOT this year, wherever it comes from.  
I haven’t really looked at FA or the draft to say.  

[PantherChris]

On 1/14/2026 at 7:04 PM, mrcompletely11 said:

Its something like 30% that make it back to their top PFF rating, and thats everyone included.  Cant help but think 330 lb guys have a rougher go at it

Hes probably played his last down as a panther unless hes willing to sign a one year vet min prove it deal season after next, yes quoted time is 6 to 12 months but for a 320 pound man thats definitely leaning to the later stage. It sucks for ickey but chances are hes cooked.

[PantherChris]

Just now, strato said:

30% isn’t 0%. As I said, up in the air. And we will be trying a new LOT this year, wherever it comes from.  
I haven’t really looked at FA or the draft to say.  

I am aware, I'm simply saying he won't be getting a big contract. He will probably have to play the 2027 season on a prove it deal, because I'm pretty sure he won't play this year.

[strato]

2 hours ago, PantherChris said:

I am aware, I'm simply saying he won't be getting a big contract. He will probably have to play the 2027 season on a prove it deal, because I'm pretty sure he won't play this year.

I don’t know how that would work. Crossing fingers. If 5th years are guaranteed he is getting something like 16-17 million for 2026.  

[PantherChris]

31 minutes ago, strato said:

I don’t know how that would work. Crossing fingers. If 5th years are guaranteed he is getting something like 16-17 million for 2026.  

Its guaranteed I'm not referring to that, I think its very unlikely he plays in 2026