Panthers signing Robert Hunt, Damien Lewis was a necessity

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- New Carolina Panthers guard Robert Hunt didn't hesitate when asked what he wanted to splurge on with a portion of the five-year, $100 million contract ($63 million guaranteed) he got in free agency: A Tesla Cybertruck.

"I've been waiting on this conversation,'' the former Miami Dolphins player said Wednesday on a Zoom call. "All of you guys get your pens out, and if you know somebody in Charlotte tell 'em I want a cyber Tesla truck.

"That's what I've been wanting for multiple years. I told myself once I got the deal, no matter where I'm at in life, that would be my treat to myself.''

Hunt would be the first to admit the rectangular-shaped, futuristic-looking all-terrain vehicle -- one of which recently auctioned off for $244,500 and then was resold by a Porsche dealer for $290,000 -- would be a luxury addition.

Hunt, however, was a necessity addition for a Carolina team looking to protect its investment in quarterback Bryce Young, the No. 1 pick of the 2023 draft.

Young was sacked a franchise record 62 times in 2023, the second most in the NFL behind Sam Howell (65) of the Washington Commanders. Thirty-five of them came through the guard-center combination that was in constant flux because of injuries and poor play.

So the Panthers made Hunt the third-highest paid guard in the NFL behind Landon Dickerson ($21 million per year) of the Philadelphia Eagles and Chris Lindstrom ($20.5 million) with an average of $20 million.

They also signed former Seattle Seahawks guard Damien Lewis to a four-year, $53 million deal that averages $13.25 million a year.

Their combined averaged of $33.5 million per year is the second highest for a guard tandem in the NFL behind Quenton Nelson ($20 million per year) and Braden Smith ($17.5 million per year) of the Indianapolis Colts.

They take Carolina from ranking 19thin the NFL in salary cap space committed to guards in 2023 (just over $9 million) to fifth in 2024, behind the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, Colts, Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers.

"It was absolutely necessary because there weren't any [good guards] on the roster and there was no center on the roster,'' Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian told ESPN. "But more importantly because of Bryce's height [5-foot-10].

"You've got to secure the middle with big, wide people who can stand in there and stop stunters and stop rushers and give Bryce a clean pocket to pass from. To get those guys in free agency is the right move because you're getting a finished product.''

It follows the model used by theNew Orleans Saintswhen coach Sean Payton acquired Drew Brees in 2006. Payton knew in order for the 6-foot tall Brees to have a chance, he had to have a clean inside pocket.

Payton called the three yards behind the center essential for a quarterback, particular a shorter quarterback who needs better sight lines for finding receivers.

Many teams that protected the middle well in 2024 were highly successful. The Chiefs led the way with a league-best 97.3% pass block win rate from the guard position. Seven of the top eight teams in pass block win rate at guard made the playoffs.

The lower half of the spectrum was littered with non-playoff teams, including the Panthers who were last with a success rate of 86.2%.

"At some point teams are going to make you win from the pocket,'' Payton said at the NFL combine. "We can rush a certain way to keep a quarterback from escaping. And so we're going to have to be, wherever you're proficient enough on third down to take a snap, find a throw and protect that spot that you're referencing regardless of height.

"Because I think often times these guys are seeing through lanes, not necessarily over, but certainly for some quarterbacks that can be a little bit more challenging."

The Panthers hope the 6-foot-6, 330-pound Hunt and 6-foot-2, 327-pound Lewis will provide a significant upgrade for a Carolina team that played seven different left guards and eight right guards last season.

Polian praised Carolina's move, comparing it to the Dallas Cowboys when they invested heavily in guard Zack Martin and the Colts when they used the sixth pick of the 2018 draft to select Nelson.

"Generally speaking I'm not a proponent for that,'' he said. "But I understand completely and agree completely with why the Panthers are doing it.''

That Carolina has only $7.5 million of its $67 million cap space currently dedicated to the line on a rookie left tackle (Ikem Ekwonu) made it easier to spend on the guards.

The top 20 left tackles range from $16 million to $25 million per year.

Hunt and Lewis haven't had time to break down why Carolina was unable to protect Young last season, but they understand their mission.

"To make him real comfortable back there,'' Lewis deadpanned.

Young seldom was comfortable last season. He created bad habits of rushing throws and throwing interceptions that weren't a problem in his college years at Alabama.

In Hunt and Lewis, he now has a couple of maulers who thrive as run blockers as well as in pass protection.

"In my head, I'm thinking about, 'I'm going to punish you every play,''' Lewis said. "I'm thinking about putting your face in the ground.''

Both players have that "dawg'' mentality that new general manager Dan Morgan made a priority when he got the job.

"If a quarterback likes a spot and he vocalizes that, that's the spot we've got to protect,'' Hunt said almost defiantly. "It's a bunch of dawgs in that locker room, so I'm excited to get in and fit in and play with them.''

Meanwhile, he'll be on the lookout for the rare Tesla Cybertruck.

"It's really hard to get these things,'' Hunt said. "If you guys know anybody, put it out there in the open for the people in Charlotte, Robert Hunt needs a Tesla Cybertruck.''