Panthers Offensive Tackle Yosh Nijman Retires After 7 NFL Seasons

Nijman was a candidate to replace injured left tackle Ikem Ekwonu in Carolina.

Published on Mar. 12, 2026

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Carolina Panthers offensive lineman Yosh Nijman has announced his retirement from the NFL after seven seasons in the league. Nijman, who spent his first five seasons with the Green Bay Packers and his final two with the Panthers, was considered a candidate to replace left tackle Ikem Ekwonu, who is expected to miss part of the upcoming season due to a knee injury.

Why it matters

Nijman's retirement is a significant loss for the Panthers, who were counting on him to potentially fill a key role on their offensive line with Ekwonu sidelined. The team will now need to find another solution to replace Ekwonu during his recovery period.

The details

Nijman, 30, announced his retirement on Instagram late Wednesday night. He played in 99 career games with 29 starts over his seven-year NFL career. The Panthers were hoping Nijman could step in and replace Ekwonu, who underwent surgery after rupturing his patellar tendon in the first quarter of a playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

  • Nijman announced his retirement on March 11, 2026.
  • Ekwonu is expected to miss part of the upcoming 2026 NFL season due to his knee injury.

The players

Yosh Nijman

A 30-year-old offensive lineman who spent the first five seasons of his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers and the final two with the Carolina Panthers before announcing his retirement.

Ikem Ekwonu

The Panthers' starting left tackle who is expected to miss part of the 2026 season after undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured patellar tendon.

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What they’re saying

“Football has given me so much, but I'm excited for the next chapter of life and the new ways God will use me moving forward. The lessons, memories, and relationships from this game will stay with me forever.”

— Yosh Nijman (Instagram)

What’s next

The Panthers will need to find a replacement for Ikem Ekwonu at left tackle while he recovers from his knee injury, with Yosh Nijman's retirement leaving a hole on the offensive line.

The takeaway

Nijman's retirement is a setback for the Panthers, who were counting on him to potentially fill a key role on their offensive line during Ekwonu's recovery. The team will now need to explore other options to replace their starting left tackle for at least part of the upcoming season.