A new opportunity has presented itself to the Carolina Panthers' top rookie, and he's more than happy to try and seize it.
On Tuesday, longtime starting right tackle Taylor Moton was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list after being diagnosed with a blood clot in his lung. The setback, which was discovered in late June, will likely keep the 30-year-old sidelined into the regular season.
With Moton recovering, the Panthers have turned to 2026 first-round pick Monroe Freeling. The 21-year-old lineman, who played primarily at left tackle during his three seasons at the University of Georgia, will now take on the right side of the trench for Carolina.
Head coach Dave Canales confirmed the move to reporters after the opening session of training
camp, and gave a little insight into his conversation with Freeling regarding their decision.
"In my mind—I wanted Monroe to go out there, earn the job, win the job," Canales stated on Thursday. "And now, we're in a situation we need him to go now. And we have guys behind him that can offer that depth part. He didn't blink and he started smiling."
The smiling picked back up when Freeling hit the lectern following practice.
"It was probably like last week, they told me, after they found out the news with T-Mo, that I'd be working on the right side. I was just really psyched for the opportunity," he said. "Anywhere they would've put me, I would've been happy to go. It's just how it is now. I gotta step up and be ready."
Freeling, this year's 19th overall selection, was expected to compete with fifth-year veteran Rasheed Walker for the starting job at left tackle. Carolina's blindside is usually manned by Ikem Ekwonu, who is still working back from the torn patellar tendon he sustained in January.
But luckily for Freeling, he does have 257 snaps' worth of experience at right tackle from his days as a Bulldog—so the spot is not entirely new to him. He also took reps from the position during organized team activities in the spring.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers' top rookie talks about his new opportunity in the absence of a franchise pillar
