Panthers’ Damien Lewis spotlights top NFL mandatory minicamp OL battles, leadership role originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Carolina Panthers left guard Damien Lewis expects more help in 2026.
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And, hopefully, less turnaround.
The Panthers’ injury-plagued offensive line competed with 10 different offensive-line combinations during the opening 13 weeks last season, 12 in all when Robert Hunt (torn biceps) returned for the NFC Wild Card loss last January.
Despite the instability, the Panthers earned their first NFC South championship since 2015, despite finishing 8-9.
As the Panthers open mandatory minicamp week Monday, the offensive line remains scrutinized. The unit promises to feature two of the summer’s top position battles: left tackle and center.
First-round draft choice Monroe Freeling should continue to compete against veteran free-agent veteran Rasheed Walker to earn the starting left tackle role with Ikem Ekwonu out with a knee injury. Fifth-rounder Sam Hecht also could challenge free-agent veteran Luke Fortner at center.
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Panthers players prep for NFL mandatory minicamp position battles
The Panthers’ players, including the veterans, were scheduled to arrive at Bank of America Stadium on Monday for physical/medical evaluations. They will engage in three practices Tuesday through Thursday, capping the third phase of the offseason training activities (OTAs). It’s the lone OTA event that the veterans must attend.
Since joining the Panthers before the 2024 season, Lewis has been one of the team’s more consistent performers, appearing in 33 of 35 games with the franchise. Last season, the veteran earned a 75.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. The No. 11-ranked guard out of 81 qualifiers, Lewis lauded the offseason moves made by Panthers general manager Dan Morgan.
Here are parts of what Lewis told The Athletic following the initial OTA session June 2.
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On his expectations of being a leader, Lewis said: “Just come here and put my head down and work, no matter who’s beside me at left tackle or center. My job is to motivate them. Seven years in … I’ve got to lead the younger guys, Rasheed, Monroe and Luke.”
On Walker, who signed a one-year, “prove-it” deal: “He’s hungry. You can tell he wants to play football. You can tell he wants to be good. He listens.”
On Freeling, who is expected to get work at right and left tackle this summer: “He fired off the ball and hit me in the chest. I said, ‘Yeah, he got it.’ You can tell, 6-(foot)-7, 330 (pounds). Freak, man.”
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