CHARLOTTE — The Panthers have signed with tackle Rasheed Walker, giving the offensive line an experienced, high-performing veteran in the room.
Walker spent his first four years in the league with the Green Bay Packers and has been protecting Jordan Love's blind side for the last three years. As the Panthers await Ikem Ekwonu's recovery from a torn patellar tendon, Walker provides valuable experience and production.
Worked his way into starting at Penn State
The Washington D.C. native attended Penn State University. He redshirted his first year before earning a position as a starter for the Nittany Lions as a redshirt freshman. Penn State went 11-2 in his first season as a starter, as quarterback Sean Clifford threw for 23 touchdowns.
After becoming a starter, Walker held on to the job for the remainder of his career in Happy Valley.
Worked his way into starting at Green Bay
Having sat a year and then earning a job at the college level, Walker did the same in the NFL. His rookie season was spent primarily backing up All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari. But when the latter suffered a knee injury in 2023, Walker stepped in and never looked back.
Over the next three years, he would appear in 49 of 51 regular-season games (the only two missed were the Week 1 match in 2023, when Bakhtiari started, and a Week 18 game in 2025 when starters were rested), starting 48 of those 49, including 42 straight.
He also started all four playoff games in which the Packers played during his time in Green Bay.
Top-ranked pass block win rate
Not only has Walker been dependable and available at the tackle position, but he's also been incredibly productive.
He posted a pass block win rate of 93.8 percent. That mark was the 11th-best amongst all qualifying tackles.
Was considered top tackle this class
According to multiple outlets, from the consensus ranking board run by Yahoo Sports to Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network, who spoke with teams across the league, Walker was considered the top tackle in this year's free agent class.
The ranking comes after his years of starting and the pass blocking mentioned. He waited to make a deal with a team, but given this week's news that Yosh Nijman would be retiring, the timing worked out perfectly for the Carolina Panthers.
Founded his own charity
Walker has used his time and resources in the NFL to start his own charity, "Youth is the Future." The organization is"empowering today's youth to stay grounded and focused. We guide the youth in leveraging their strengths to identify, plan, and pursue their passions. Our mission is to inspire the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs, and community builders."
In the past, YITF has hosted annual football camps, offered mentorship programs, and organized food and bike/toy drives.
View photos as the Panthers welcome their newly signed free agents to Carolina. Players had the opportunity to tour Bank of America Stadium with loved ones after signing.
The Carolina Panthers sign Jaelen Phillips on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Jaelen Phillips on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Jaelen Phillips on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Jaelen Phillips on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Jaelen Phillips on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Jaelen Phillips on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Devin Lloyd on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Devin Lloyd on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Devin Lloyd on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Devin Lloyd on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Devin Lloyd on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Devin Lloyd on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Kenneth Pickett on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Kenneth Pickett on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Kenneth Pickett on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Kenneth Pickett on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Kenneth Pickett on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Luke Fortner on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Luke Fortner on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Luke Fortner on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Luke Fortner on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Luke Fortner on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Luke Fortner on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Stone Forsythe on Friday, Mar. 13, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Stone Forsythe on Friday, Mar. 13, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Stone Forsythe on Friday, Mar. 13, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Stone Forsythe on Friday, Mar. 13, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Stone Forsythe on Friday, Mar. 13, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
