INDIANAPOLIS — Panthers general manager Dan Morgan had a long offseason shopping list anyway. In the playoff loss to the Rams, it got considerably longer and harder to complete.

The torn patellar tendon suffered by Ikem Ekwonu in the playoffs — and the associated long timeline — created a big question at left tackle for a team that's known remarkable stability up front.

Morgan said he didn't have a timeline for Ekwonu, but noted that the surgery went well, and he's been in the stadium since then, working with vice president of player health and performance Denny Kellington and the rest of the wellness staff.

"I just talked to him the other day, so he's in good spirits," Morgan said of Ekwonu. "Unfortunate what happened. Obviously, timeline-wise, I don't really have a timeline; we'll see how it progresses. We'll see how it goes, but so far it's looking good, and as far as the timeline, I don't have that right now.

"In terms of the impact in the draft, free agency, offensive line is a position that we're always going to be looking at, always trying to upgrade and have as much depth as possible there. So we're just going to attack that like we usually do."

Among their four free agents on the offensive line is Yosh Nijman, who started at both right and left tackle last season, and has familiarity and experience. Bringing him back would be a short-term bridge if Ekwonu is able to come back during the season.

That's still a thing they aren't sure about.

"I really don't," Morgan said when asked if Ekwonu might return during the season. "But, I'm optimistic that he's going to put the work in, and he'll be ready when that time comes."

The Panthers have four big-ticket linemen in Ekwonu, guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis, and right tackle Taylor Moton, and a vacancy at center with both Cade Mays and Austin Corbett entering free agency, along with Brady Christensen.

That's a lot of money invested in the line, but that was one of Morgan's first priorities when he took over in 2024.

"That's a little bit by design too," he said. "When I took over this job, the number one thing I wanted to do was make us strong on both sides of the ball, and that's never going to change as long as I'm the GM here."

Search for pass-rushers could take many forms

Even with the Ekwonu situation, pass-rush might have been the top priority this offseason. The Panthers managed just 30.0 sacks last year, tied for 28th in the league (only two teams had fewer). They did draft Nic Scourton in the second round, and Princely Umanmielen in the third, and Morgan likes them. But he knows he needs to add there.

"I don't think you can have too many really good pass-rushers," Morgan said. "So, you know, the combination of free agency, the combination of draft, there are some good players in both that we're excited about. So we'll see how it shakes out. We're obviously evaluating them. We're putting the work in, and we'll see what happens.

"I don't have a crystal ball and, you know, you never know who you're going to sign, or who may want to come here."

Morgan did say that veteran Patrick Jones II was healthy after missing half of last season with back surgery, but he's cleared and "ready to go next year."

But there will be a lot of talk about external options.

One of those pass-rushers they'll consider is former Dolphins outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, who briefly played for defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero in Denver before he was traded to Miami in 2022. The 29-year-old Chubb has 48.0 sacks in seven seasons, but also a torn ACL that cost him the entire 2024 season.

"I don't think anything is going to be off the table," Morgan replied when asked specifically about Chubb. "We'll explore that, we'll talk to his agent, but I wouldn't say anything's upcoming, but we'll definitely stay on that, and we'll see where that goes.

I know a lot about them. Obviously, you know, when guys get cut, I watch every guy that gets cut. So do the pro scouts. They do a great job as well. So, still playing at a really good level, has had a lot of sack production throughout his career. Just a really good player, and, you know, that's something that we'll stay in, and we'll explore."

Want to continue to talk to center Cade Mays

In addition to the uncertainty at left tackle, the Panthers also have a hole at center with Mays, Corbett, and Christensen hitting the market.

Mays could have some interest after a strong second half, and Morgan said he'd let the center see what was out there while maintaining lines of communication.

"I'm sure his agent's meeting with people and figuring out what his market's looking like right now," Morgan said. "And once he figures that out, we'll reassess, and you know we've been in constant communication with his agent.

"Again, we'll see how it goes and see how it plays out, but Cade is a guy that we would want to bring back if it works out for both sides."

Andy Dalton knows he's competing for a role

Both head coach Dave Canales and Morgan have talked about finding a younger quarterback to develop behind Bryce Young, and Morgan said he's talked to veteran backup Andy Dalton about that process.

The 38-year-old Dalton is under contract for another year, but Morgan said he's been up front in the conversations.

"I think, not just Andy, but with all the players, I try to stay honest and transparent with our plans, and it's no different with Andy," Morgan said. "Andy knows he's going to have to compete. We are going to try to bring somebody in here. I don't know who that is, whether through free agency or the draft or both, you never know.

"So I'm in constant communication with Andy. We've talked multiple times, and he's aware of the plan, and we'll see what happens.

"I think it's really up to Andy, in terms of Andy competing. Andy's not afraid of competition, so we'll see what happens in free agency, we'll see what happens in the draft, and then we'll see how it plays out."

Door remains open for Rico Dowdle return

Another of their decisions in free agency will be at running back, where Rico Dowdle is hitting the market after his second straight 1,000-yard rushing season.

Dowdle didn't sound like a man interested in a return immediately after the season, but has sent out social media messages since then suggesting he might.

Either way, Morgan said the door was open for Dowdle, but that they'd let him test the market. But he also likes the rest of the room, including Chuba Hubbard (1,195 rushing yards in 2024), former second-rounder Jonathon Brooks, and last year's fourth-rounder Trevor Etienne.

"Got a lot of trust in them," Morgan said. "I think Chuba has proven that he can be a number one back. He can carry the load, which he has done. In terms of Jonathon Brooks coming back, we're excited about that. His rehab, he's doing a great job with that, making a lot of progress, so we feel good about him. We're happy for him. We're optimistic for him. And then Trevor Etienne, who we drafted last year, we're really excited about him. We think he's got a bright future, and I think he's going to be one of those rising stars in this league.

"So we feel good about the room, but again, that doesn't mean we won't add to that room, whether in free agency, resigning people, or in the draft."