Eku Leota Impresses in Panthers’ Preseason Opener: Coach Highlights His Strong Performance

As the Carolina Panthers revamp their pass rush for the 2024 season, former Auburn linebacker Eku Leota demonstrated his potential in their preseason debut. In a 17-3 defeat to the New England Patriots, Leota showcased his abilities and earned a spot on Pro Football Focus’s Team of the Week for the opening week of the preseason.

Entering his second NFL season, Leota’s journey from undrafted rookie to a key player on the 53-man roster was marked by significant progress in 2023. Reflecting on his development, Leota shared, “Having been in the system for a year has really improved my communication and speed on the field. The coaching and my ability to address mistakes have been major positives throughout the year.”

During the game against the Patriots, Leota contributed significantly with 20 defensive snaps and 11 special-teams plays. His highlights included a tackle for a 1-yard loss on running back Antonio Gibson, a quarterback hit on an incomplete pass, a tackle on a kickoff, and a tackle for a 4-yard loss against running back Jamycal Hasty.

Carolina’s coach Dave Canales praised Leota’s performance, stating, “Eku’s strength and physical play were evident tonight. While I need to review the film for a complete assessment, his effort and style of play were outstanding.”

Leota emphasized that hard work is essential in the NFL: “Playing hard is a given. It’s the standard here. Effort should always be the number one priority. My goal is to be consistent and improve daily.”

The Panthers are reshaping their defense after losing top sack leaders from 2023. Outside linebacker Brian Burns, inside linebacker Frankie Luvu, and defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos have moved on, leaving Derrick Brown as the top returning sack leader with two. To fill the void, Carolina signed former No. 1 draft pick Jadeveon Clowney, who has 52.5 sacks over 10 seasons, and added DJ Johnson, a third-round draft pick from 2023. They also brought in K’Lavon Chaisson, a former first-round pick with five sacks from his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In the preseason opener, Johnson and Chaisson took the starting roles at outside linebacker with Clowney absent. Johnson played 20 defensive snaps, while Chaisson was on the field for 15 snaps, each recording one tackle. Chaisson also had a quarterback hit.

Leota is focusing on refining his skills during training camp, noting, “Improving my vision and understanding my keys are crucial for playing faster.”

The Panthers will continue their preseason journey with their second game at 6 p.m. CDT on Saturday, facing the New York Jets at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.