The Carolina Panthers believe in Monroe Freeling. His development has been forced into a quicker pace after veteran right tackle Taylor Moton's health concern, leaving the No. 19 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft as a prominent starter immediately.
Freeling's progress has been encouraging this summer. However, joint practice against the Houston Texans represented the sternest test imaginable to see how far along the rookie is.
And perhaps unsurprisingly, it was a rude awakening in no uncertain terms.
Carolina Panthers rookie Monroe Freeling gets an early NFL baptism from Danielle Hunter in joint practice
The Texans' defense is arguably the league's most dominant. They are spearheaded by the defensive end duo of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, the most prolific tandem anywhere in the NFL.
It was always going to be a difficult challenge for Freeling, and that proved true.
According to those in attendance, it was a rough day at the office for Freeling. He had a couple of positive flashes, but the Georgia product was completely overwhelmed by Hunter throughout. Carolina struggled against Houston's defense, and it all started up front.
If Freeling was under any illusions about what it takes to succeed at the next level, there shouldn't be any now.
Danielle Hunter with what is at least the fourth sack on Bryce Young. Beat Monroe Freeling.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 26, 2026
Tough day for the rookie. And a tough assignment against Hunter and Will Anderson.
Hunter has been terrorizing NFL offensive tackles for a decade. The former LSU game-wrecker has 114.5 career sacks and showed no signs of slowing down last season with 18 (including playoffs). Freeling isn't the first to get completely dominated by him, and he won't be the last.
This is a learning experience, and then some. And unless improvements arrive, it could leave quarterback Bryce Young exposed during the regular season without Moton and injured left tackle Ikem Ekwonu.
Monroe Freeling must turn his Carolina Panthers' wake-up call into a positive
Freeling is still finding his feet. Being asked to transition from the blindside was always going to come with growing pains. His athleticism is absolutely off the charts, but the first-year pro is being thrown into the fire.
Hunter's consistent success against him in a joint practice might not mean much in the grand scheme of things. Even so, these murmurings of his difficulty in coping with the prolific pass-rusher will not go unnoticed by those who are facing the Panthers early in the campaign.
The Texans are in the upper echelons. There aren't many better than Hunter and Anderson as a duo, and they showed their teeth from start to finish.
Freeling was left treading water, unable to cope. But this brutal reality check should make him a better player in the long run.
Carolina is counting on it.
Everyone has tough days. This was no doubt an eye-opening joint practice for Freeling, and how he responds will be crucial. But looking at the way he's stepped up, how hard he's worked, and how quickly he's picked things up this offseason, complications should be minimal.
And next time Freeling comes up against Hunter or anyone at this sort of level, he'll now know the size of the task awaiting him.
Whether he can match them fire with fire is another matter.
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