Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan recently said the team will hold two starting competitions on the offensive line this offseason. The first competition is at left tackle between Rasheed Walker and Monroe Freeling, with Ikem Ekwonu set to miss most, if not all, of the season while recovering from a ruptured patellar tendon. Walker spent the first four seasons with the Green Bay Packers and started 52 games over the past three seasons. Freeling, the first-round pick, started 18 games in college with the Georgia Bulldogs.
The Carolina Panthers will hold a competition to replace Cade Mays
Carolina Panthers, Cade mays
Aug 17, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers guard Cade Mays (64) during pregame warm ups against the New York Jets at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
In addition, the Panthers will hold a competition at center between Luke Fortner and Sam Hecht to replace Cade Mays, who signed with the Detroit Lions after starting 21 games over the past two seasons. Fortner spent the first three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, including starting the first 36 games before losing the starting job in 2024. He was then traded to the New Orleans Saints in 2025 and took over as the starting center, starting the final ten games.
Hecht, the fifth-round pick, played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats. He started the final 25 games at center over the past two seasons, earning Second-Team All-Big 12 in 2024 and First-Team All-Big 12 honors in 2025. He had an incredible pre-draft process, including turning heads at the 2026 Senior Bowl.
The rookie vying for a starting job is considered a draft steal
Kansas State Wildcats, Sam hecht
Aug 30, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson (2) waits for the snap from center Sam Hecht (75) during the first half against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images
“Former Kansas State center Sam Hecht was a two-year college starter who played the position with football IQ and high-level technique. He was a perfect match for the Carolina Panthers in the fifth round (No. 144 overall), because they are looking for a long-term successor to their short-term solution at center, Luke Fortner. Hecht possesses every trait required to develop into an eventual starter on a playoff contending team,” Justin Melo said, viaSports Illustrated.