Panthers' Offensive Line: Bitonio's Budget Boost

0:00On March 27, the Carolina Panthers offensive line faces major turnover heading into 2026. Only three players from last year's healthy roster remain with the team. Robert Hunt, Damian Lewis, and Taylor Martin. Everyone else is gone, injured, retired, or still a free agent. Wiping out the continuity they built from 2024. Injuries last season forced the Panthers to shuffle through double-digit Lyman combos, but now, depth is a real issue too. Key guys like Icom equineau are sideline, Cade Maze has left, Yosheni Mon retired, and veterans Austin Corbett and Brady Christensen remain unsigned. Despite being options, one solid fix could be veteran guard Joe Betonio, lately with the Cleveland Browns. He's a proven interior blocker, with seven straight pro-bowls from 2018 through 2024, and experts call him the top available. Talent for teams that run heavy and knee pass protection. Betonio stayed sharp last year, allowing just two sacks and one penalty over a thousand 81 snaps

1:03while grating out elite in pass blocking. Per advanced stats. He's also durable, missing only two games combined over the last nine seasons. A short-term, budget-friendly deal for Betonio would give Carolina reliable back-up punch right away, shoring up a banged-up unit and boosting Bryce. Yon's protection as training camp nears.