How Different Will the Panthers' O-Line Look in 2024?

Carolina must address its offensive line this offseason. The question is, how much?

In 2022, the Carolina Panthers had virtually the same starting five up front along the offensive line for much of the season. 

Once Bradley Bozeman took over as the starting center for the injured Pat Elflein and committed to a run first, downhill attack, the group took a massive jump. They paved the way for D'Onta Foreman to have a career year and pass protection wasn't much of an issue, allowing 2.1 sacks per game - good for ninth in the NFL.

This season was quite the opposite. 

It felt like every week, the Panthers had to throw a new starting five out there due to the constant injuries at the guard spot. Brady Christensen went down in Week 1, rookie Chandler Zavala went down a few weeks later, Austin Corbett re-injured his knee shortly after returning, and Justin McCray hit injured reserve late in the season. In all, the Panthers deployed 11 different starting combinations in 2023.

Week-by-week starting o-line:

at ATL: Ekwonu-Christensen-Bozeman-Zavala-Moton

vs. NO: Ekwonu-Zavala-Bozeman-Mays-Moton

at SEA: Ekwonu-Zavala-Bozeman-Throckmorton-Moton

vs. MIN: Ekwonu-Zavala-Bozeman-Throckmorton-Moton

at DET: Ekwonu-Zavala-Bozeman-Throckmorton-Moton

at MIA: Ekwonu-Mays-Bozeman-Throckmorton-Moton

vs. HOU: Ekwonu-Throckmorton-Bozeman-Corbett-Moton

vs. IND: Ekwonu-Throckmorton-Bozeman-Corbett-Moton

at CHI: Ekwonu-Throckmorton-Bozeman-Corbett-Moton

vs. DAL: Ekwonu-Zavala-Bozeman-Corbett-Moton

at TEN: Ekownu-Zavala-Bozeman-Toth-Moton

at TB: Ekwonu-McCray-Bozeman-Jensen-Moton

at NO: Ekwonu-McCray-Bozeman-Jensen-Moton

vs. ATL: Ekwonu-Mays-Bozeman-Jensen-Moton

vs. GB: Ekwonu-Mays-Bozeman-Jensen-Moton

at JAX: Ekwonu-Mays-Bozeman-Jackson-Moton

vs. TB: Ekwonu-Jensen-Bozeman-Jackson-Moton

Anytime you have this much change along the line, you're going to struggle to hold up in pass protection. There's no chemistry, no cohesiveness. It resulted in Bryce Young being sacked 62 times during his rookie season and for the year, the Panthers allowed 3.8 sacks per game - only the Giants (5.0) were worse.

So, how different will the Panthers o-line look next fall? It's a great question. 

LEFT TACKLE

The Panthers invested a first-round pick into Ikem Ekwonu, so he's not going anywhere. They may flirt with the idea of kicking him inside to guard, but he'll more than likely remain at left tackle. 

Does Moving Ikem Ekwonu Inside Make Sense?

LEFT GUARD

What happens to Brady Christensen? He didn't really get an opportunity to stake his claim as the long-term starter, so there will undoubtedly be competition here. But on what level? Do they spent big money and bring in a bona-fide top 15 or so veteran? Or do they look to the middle tier of free agency? 

CENTER

Bradley Bozeman played okay this season, taking a step back from what he did in 2022. However, he's entering the second year of a three-year deal. There is a potential out following the 2024 season and given that he wasn't horrible, it's safe to assume he'll be the spear of the o-line again next year.

RIGHT GUARD

If he were healthy, Austin Corbett would have this job locked up. Unfortunately, he's suffered back-to-back serious knee injuries in the same knee. You have to be concerned with his long-term future, so I wouldn't be completely surprised if the Panthers looked to spend here as well. 

RIGHT TACKLE

Taylor Moton has been a steady hand up front since he arrived in Carolina. Sure, he gave up a few pressures and one sack, but he wasn't part of the problem. 

I'd imagine the Panthers begin the 2024 season with two new starters - left guard and right guard. You can't count on Corbett being healthy and Christensen is too much of a wild card. Eliminate the interior leakage and watch Bryce Young look like a completely different quarterback in year two.

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