A key offensive lineman from last year is back with the Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have brought back a familiar face to fill a major hole on their depth chart.
The team agreed to terms on a one-year contract with veteran offensive tackle Cam Erving on Monday, a league source confirmed to The Observer. The terms of the agreement weren’t immediately disclosed. ESPN first reported the news.
Erving will presumably return to his 2022 role as a swing tackle under new head coach Frank Reich. Erving’s experience with offensive lineman coach James Campen should allow him to step right back into the mix.
Last season, Erving was a veteran mentor for then-rookie offensive linemen Ikem Ekwonu and Cade Mays. He also served as the sixth lineman in jumbo set sub-packages.
Erving, a 2015 first-round draft pick, originally signed with the Panthers in 2021. Entering his ninth NFL season, Erving has played in 96 career games (56 starts).
The 30-year-old will be the primary backup to both Ekwonu, the starting left tackle, and starting right tackle Taylor Moton. Prior to Erving’s agreement with the Panthers, Larnel Coleman was the only other offensive tackle on the roster outside of Moton and Ekwonu.
With Erving set to return, and 13 undrafted rookies set to sign contracts — pending physicals — on Friday, the Panthers still have six spots unaccounted for on their 90-man offseason roster.
The Panthers will begin their rookie minicamp on Friday. The three-day minicamp will also feature a group of yet-to-be-announced tryout players.
This story was originally published May 9, 2023 at 8:55 AM.
