North Charlotte Today

The Carolina Panthers have made it clear that maintaining their offensive line's continuity is a top priority. General Manager Dan Morgan and Head Coach Dave Canales emphasized the importance of this position during discussions on Tuesday.

Last year, the team invested heavily in offensive linemen, spending $150 million on guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis to address the 65 sacks allowed in 2023. The investment paid off, as the sack number dropped to 36, stabilizing the offense and allowing quarterback Bryce Young to emerge.

"That's huge, right?" said Canales. "I mean, I think one of the strengths of our team was the offensive line play."

The center position remains a focus area, with efforts underway to bring back unrestricted free agent Austin Corbett and restricted free agent Cade Mays for added stability. Corbett started strong last season before an injury sidelined him, while Mays stepped up midseason.

Morgan expressed intentions to secure a long-term deal with left tackle Ikem Ekwonu and retain veteran right tackle Taylor Moton. Despite speculation regarding Moton's status due to his high salary cap number from previous restructures, Morgan indicated satisfaction with the current arrangement.

"I think we're fine either way," Morgan commented about Moton's contract situation. "Obviously, we love Taylor. We love everything about him."

The Panthers' leadership sees value in long-term planning as they continue developing their offense around Young. Maintaining their successful offensive line is essential for achieving overall team goals.

"We're excited about that group," Morgan stated about his offensive line. "And they're going to continue to get better."