Ikem Ekwonu must earn his Carolina Panthers starting spot in 2022

Despite being drafted No. 6 overall, the Carolina Panthers are making offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu earn his starting spot in 2022. 

It might seem like a foregone conclusion to many that Ikem Ekwonu will be starting at left tackle in 2022. But the Carolina Panthers and keen to ensure there remains a sense of urgency where their first-round selection is concerned.

Ekwonu was a gift that the Panthers could afford to pass up after he fell out of the top five and into their laps at No. 6 overall. The former North Carolina State standout was expected to fill the gaping blindside void that’s been a complication since Jordan Gross hung up his cleats, but the coaching staff has bedded the rookie in slowly over the initial stages of the team’s training camp in Spartanburg.

The Panthers have gone with Brady Christensen as the starter more often than not, with Ekwonu coming in both on the edge and left guard. Matt Rhule dismissed claims that Carolina was taking things too slow regarding the first-year-pro, indicating that they expect a certain standard and he must earn the right to unseat those with more experience from their spots in the coming weeks.

Ikem Ekwonu ready to fight for his Carolina Panthers starting job

This method is something Ekwonu is on board with. A mindset that should serve him well in pursuit of reaching some lofty expectations in 2022 and beyond.

"“Everyone has to earn that right to be out there week one, myself included. Regardless of draft status or vet status, everyone’s got to earn their spot. I’m looking forward to (it) each and every day.”"

Ekwonu came into this situation with his eyes wide open. He knows what’s expected and the challenge awaiting him at the next level, but it’s been a promising start to camp overall despite the lineman working with the second-unit prominently.

There is much debate about what combination is best on the left-hand side of the protection. However, the Panthers haven’t shown a willingness to draft guards high throughout the current regime’s process, so Ekwonu was brought on board to be their left tackle at the earliest possible opportunity.

Christensen remains the unknown in all this. The Panthers are now willing to try him on the blindside after some severe reluctance during his rookie campaign, but the BYU product could do without the same positional mismanagement that blighted his first year in Carolina.

Perhaps the pads coming on in practice is something that will bring Ekwonu on a little quicker. His physicality is renowned and something he clearly enjoys, but the player is also ready to step in almost anywhere on the offensive line if called upon.

"“I feel comfortable at left tackle, but I’ve always said I can swing both sides. If coach needs me to play somewhere (else) or bump inside, I’d be willing to do it.”"

Ekwonu’s fun-loving and personable demeanor should not be mistaken for weakness. This is a focused, ruthless player that loves nothing more than crushing anyone that comes in his path.

Rhule and others need to keep a close eye on this during camp as they don’t want any roster member getting hurt. So it might be worth giving Ekwonu free rein in the preseason to see how ready for starting responsibilities he actually is.

After all, he’ll be the opposition’s problem at that point.