Heading into Week 1, one of the key matchups we highlighted for the Carolina Panthers was at right tackle. That's where rookie Monroe Freeling made his NFL debut against Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat, who posted a team-best 10.0 sacks last season.
Early on, Sweat was able to get past Freeling to quarterback Bryce Young for a sack—but after that, Freeling was able to shut him down. According to Mike Kaye at ESPN, Freeling only allowed three pressures on 41 dropbacks in the 59-37 loss.
Kaye writes:
The No. 19 pick gave up a first-quarter sack to Bears pass rusher Montez Sweat, but Freeling settled in at right tackle as the shootout loss moved along. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Freeling allowed three total pressures on 41 pass plays.
He allowed that 7.3% pressure rate despite being asked to block individually on 70.7% of his pass plays. Freeling was a starting left tackle throughout his final season at Georgia, and those outings made up the bulk of his college workload. Moving to the opposite side isn't easy, and Freeling, despite a hiccup, adapted well for a solid debut.
The strong debut from Freeling was one of many positive signs for Carolina's offense, which went into the regular season missing its top two offensive tackles. With Taylor Moton sidelined indefinitely by a blood clot, Freeling's performance provides a huge sigh of relief for the Panthers offense and an encouraging sign for how his pro career might go.
Coming into the NFL, there was little question that Freeling's power and athleticism would make him a great run blocker at this level. The question was his pass protection—and this outing answered that in a positive way.
Elsewhere, the team's second-round defensive tackle Lee Hunter posted six tackles and Carolina's fourth-round cornerback Will Lee III added five more as well as a first-drive fumble recovery in their respective debuts.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: ESPN highlights strong debut for Panthers rookie in loss to Bears
