After an incredible 2025 season from the Carolina Panthers, general manager Dan Morgan and the front office will now look to build off the success by addressing the organization’s needs this offseason.

One of the biggest concerns for head coach Dave Canales, looking ahead to next season, will be the left tackle position following the injury of 2022 first-round pick Ikem Ekwonu in the NFC Wild Card round matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.

Ekwonu played a total of eight snaps in the contest before he suffered a ruptured patellar tendon. The unfortunate injury now puts a major wrinkle in the offensive line rotation for the 2026 season, as Canales will likely be without his star left tackle to kick off the season.

Since joining the squad back in 2022, Ekwonu has become a key piece of the Panthers’ offensive line at the left tackle position.

However, his most recent injury could be viewed as a major red flag due to the historical data of players returning from ruptured patellar tendon.

Some of the former NFL players to suffer this type of injury have been Demaryius Thomas, Terrell Suggs, and Jason Peters. And while these players were able to make a full recovery, this type of injury is known for limiting explosiveness and further knee injuries with overcompensation. This, along with Ekwonu entering the last season of his contract, makes for a grim future outlook with Carolina.

The regular recovery time frame is roughly 6-12 months, and Canales stated earlier this offseason that return time is something the team “has to consider” this offseason.

"It is something we have to consider, knowing we're going to go through a full offseason - what's the timeline, how does that affect training camp, roster numbers and all of that,'' Canales stated.

Luckily for Morgan and the rest of the front office, the answer to the franchise’s next left tackle may lie in the 2026 NFL Draft in Utah star tackle Caleb Lomu.

It’s clear that the Panthers must address the defensive line heading into next season, but the organization’s magical playoff run this year could put the team out of reach for one of the top EDGE rushers in the draft.

Instead, Lomu makes perfect sense for Carolina, as he will be able to replace Ekwonu for the future.

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