Shortly after a report indicated the Panthers still had Cameron Erving on their radar, the veteran offensive lineman is indeed returning to Charlotte. Erving agreed to terms on another Panthers deal Monday night, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
This is a one-year contract, and it comes after Erving played out his previous Panthers pact. The former first-round pick will be back as a depth piece for the Panthers, who initially inked the veteran blocker to a two-year contract back in 2021.
Although the Panthers are no longer looking for Erving to be their left tackle starter — as was the case in 2021 — he represents a veteran swingman to play behind Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton. Erving, 30, played in 11 games as a backup last season. The Panthers are Erving’s fourth NFL team; the Florida State product has played for the Browns, Chiefs and Cowboys since being taken 19th overall in 2015.
During Matt Rhule‘s second offseason in charge, the Panthers gave Erving a two-year deal worth $10MM. Despite Erving being viewed as more of a backup than starter in recent years, the Panthers gave him the blindside gig to start Sam Darnold‘s first season at the controls. Erving made nine starts for a Panthers team that had struggled annually to staff its left tackle post at that point. A calf injury sidelined Erving for a stretch that year, and he finished his first Carolina season with two IR stints.
Rhule and GM Scott Fitterer decided against taking a quarterback at No. 6 overall last year, choosing Ekwonu over ex-Rhule Temple recruit Kenny Pickett, and the high draftee took over for Erving. The Panthers still value Erving as a reserve option, however, and he will have a chance to play a ninth NFL season.
After the Browns bailed on Erving two years into his career, he did become a regular Chiefs starter from 2018-19. In addition to being Eric Fisher‘s primary blindside fill-in during the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV-winning season, Erving made 13 starts for the first Patrick Mahomes-led K.C. operation a year prior. Erving saw time at guard during the 2018 season and has also played center. The Panthers are not expected to have Austin Corbett to start the season; the 2022 free agency pickup will likely need more time to recover from a Week 18 ACL tear. Carolina’s other guard starter, Brady Christensen, is recovering from a Week 18 broken ankle. While the Panthers drafted Chandler Zavala in the fourth round, Erving also represents a potential emergency option inside.