The Panthers’ offensive line is pretty much set, outside of one positional battle
For the first time in a long time, it looks as if the Carolina Panthers don’t have to worry about their offensive line.
It’s pretty much set, at least.
The unit heading into 2025 training camp has a Pro Bowler in Robert Hunt at right guard and a statistically-on-par leader in Damien Lewis at left guard. It has a veteran at right tackle in Taylor Moton, who outside a brief spell of injury last season has been a bellcow of consistency and availability. It has an in-his-prime Ickey Ekwonu at left tackle — a 2022 first-round pick whose fifth-year option was picked up by the team earlier this offseason.
And behind these guys, the unit has a deep group of versatility, from Brady Christensen to Yosh Nijman to Chandler Zavala on down. The group is so deep — and perhaps has sustained so much injured attrition over the past two years — that the earnest fan could probably name nine offensive lineman off the top of their head.
But even with a steady group like this one, there’s a question:
Who will start at center?
The Charlotte Observer is breaking down each position on the team’s 91-man depth chart ahead of the 2025 training camp. Today, we’re looking at the offensive line — and specifically, the one positional battle worth watching.
Who will start at center?
Training camp this month will feature a competition at center between Austin Corbett and Cade Mays.
You’re familiar with both.
Corbett, 29, arrived in Carolina in 2022, fresh off a Super Bowl victory with the Los Angeles Rams. That first year, Corbett was one of the team’s best offensive players. He started 17 games and played right guard with aplomb.
Then the injuries came. He sustained a torn ACL in the 2022 season finale, which pushed back his timetable for return to mid-2023. And then in the 2023 season, not long after he returned, he tore his MCL. He prepped and worked to get back into shape ahead of 2024 — this time as a center while Hunt and Lewis were added in free agency — and played before suffering another season-ending injury in Week 5 with his biceps. Brutal.
On move-out Monday of 2024, Corbett told reporters that coming off of so many injuries, he expected a one-year prove-it deal. The Panthers signed him to a one-year extension that has a base value of $3 million (and up to $7 million with incentives).
But while he was away, the Panthers also retained Mays. And now, despite his great track record when healthy, Corbett has returned to Carolina and is ready to compete for the starting job.
His competition, Mays, is a 26-year-old bastion of versatility who has had two separate stints with the Panthers to date. Mays was first drafted by the Panthers in the sixth round of 2022. He then was cut following his third training camp with the team, joined the New York Giants’ practice squad before being called back to Carolina after starting injuries temporarily depleted the 2024 team. Mays stepped up in Corbett’s absence from there. The 6-foot-6, 325-pound lineman played in 11 games and started eight — eight of the last nine, the same stretch that saw the offense soar.
Head coach Dave Canales is excited by the competition. Corbett told The Charlotte Observer earlier this offseason that he understands that such a battle is a reality of the NFL. “We understand the best five are gonna be out there, and we all want to be a part of that,” he said, later adding that he wanted to be with the Panthers “and to help out and be a part of that change” because “it’s coming.”
The similarities between Mays and Corbett run deep.
Both have similar skill sets. Corbett is an athletic interior OL and used that to get to the second level and spring Chuba Hubbard free on occasion. Mays did so, too; he’s so versatile, in fact, he was even used as a fullback on occasion before the Canales crew arrived.
Both had similar production in 2024, too. If anything, Mays outshined Corbett. According to Pro Football Focus: Through five starts, Corbett had an overall grade of 62.2, with a run-blocking grade of 59.3 and a pass-blocking grade of 64.7. Mays’ numbers in the same categories: 66.1 overall, 66.9 run blocking, 74.9 pass blocking.
Still, in the end, it is this beat writer’s prediction that Corbett will take the starting mantle come the end of training camp. His experience will prevail. So will his leadership and hunger and skill.
That is not to say Mays won’t be needed by the Panthers this year. Injuries happen. And when they inevitably do — by virtue of his versatility — Mays will be one of the first ones called up.
Carolina Panthers’ offensive line depth chart projection
Projected starters (5): Ickey Ekwonu (LT), Damien Lewis (LG), Austin Corbett (C), Robert Hunt (RG), Taylor Moton (RT).
Projected backups (5): Cade Mays (C/G/T), Brady Christensen (C/G/T), Chandler Zavala (G), Yosh Nijman (T), Jarrett Kingston (G).
Competition: Corbett vs. Mays. Others competing for roster spots: Ja’Tyre Carter (G), Luke Kandra (G), Steven Losoya (G), Michael Tarquin (T), Brandon Walton (T).
This story was originally published July 7, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "The Panthers’ offensive line is pretty much set, outside of one positional battle."
