Morgan’s Guard Signings Boost Panthers Line

Morgan’s Free‑Agency Impact

Dan Morgan’s first full season as Carolina Panthers general manager is shaping up as a major success. Two of his marquee moves came in 2024, when he locked up left guard Damien Lewis to a four‑year, $53 million contract and right guard Robert Hunt to a five‑year, $100 million deal. Those additions have helped turn the interior offensive line into the strongest unit on the roster. Morgan has balanced a few early missteps with a growing list of hits, and the guard market signings are already paying dividends.

Hunt’s Notable Honoring and Injury Hurdle

Despite missing most of the recent campaign with a pectoral injury, Hunt still earned an honorable mention on ESPN’s top‑10 interior lineman rankings. ESPN senior reporter Jeremy Fowler compiled the list by polling league executives and coaches, and an NFC scout called Hunt “not in the elite group, but as a run‑game mauler, there aren’t many better. He just wasn’t healthy last year.” In 2024 Hunt posted a 57.5 pass‑blocking grade from Pro Football Focus alongside a 72.0 run‑blocking mark, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. Hunt missed enough snaps in 2025 to fall off the official rankings, but his underlying play kept him in the conversation.

Future Outlook for Carolina’s Interior Line

With Hunt firmly established among the league’s best guards, the expectation is that Lewis will soon join the upper echelon. Carolina’s offensive line now features two high‑-caliber protectors, giving the quarterback a reliable cushion for both rushing and passing plays. If both players stay healthy, the Panthers could see a noticeable leap in their run‑game efficiency and overall offensive stability. The investments reflect a long‑term plan to keep the line at the top of the division.

• Damien Lewis – 4 years, $53 million
• Robert Hunt – 5 years, $100 million

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