CHARLOTTE — The Panthers brought back a key member of the offensive line Tuesday, a player who was important without even starting a single game last year.
The team agreed to terms with veteran tackle Cameron Erving.
Erving came here in 2021 as a free agent and started nine games at left tackle. But last year, the former first-round pick's most important work might have been mentoring first-round pick Ikem Ekwonu, the player drafted to take his job.
Erving was integral in Ekwonu's development and still played an active role on offense, appearing in 11 games as the Panthers used multiple extra offensive linemen as the season went on. Not coincidentally, that's when they began to run the ball better. Erving was also a leader in the locker room, one of the respected elder voices in that group.
The 30-year-old Erving, a former first-round pick of the Browns, has started 56 games and made 95 career appearances.
The Panthers brought back the entire starting line by re-signing free agent center Bradley Bozeman, keeping the starting group intact through at least the 2024 season.
And with Erving back in the fold, they have a solid second unit intact, with veteran free agent interior lineman Justin McCray joining holdovers Cade Mays, Deonte Brown, Sam Tecklenburg, and Larnel Coleman. They drafted guard Chandler Zavala in the fourth round, adding interior depth and competition as well.
View photos of Ickey Ekwonu at the 2022 NFL Draft after he was selected sixth overall by the Panthers.
North Carolina State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu puts on a hat after being picked by the Carolina Panthers with the sixth pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
North Carolina State offensive lineman Ickey Ekwonu during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
North Carolina State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu poses on the red carpet before first round of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong )
North Carolina State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu stands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked by the Carolina Panthers with the sixth pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
North Carolina State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu walks the red carpet before first round of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong )
North Carolina State offensive lineman Ickey Ekwonu in the green room during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
North Carolina State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu stands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked by the Carolina Panthers with the sixth pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
North Carolina State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu poses for photos after being picked by the Carolina Panthers with the sixth pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
North Carolina State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu poses for photos after being picked by the Carolina Panthers with the sixth pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
North Carolina State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu arrives on the red carpet before the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff lewis)
North Carolina State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu poses for photos after being picked by the Carolina Panthers with the sixth pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
North Carolina State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu takes selfies with fans after being picked by the Carolina Panthers with the sixth pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
North Carolina State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu holds a team jersey after he was chosen by the Carolina Panthers with the 6th pick at the 2022 NFL Draft, Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
North Carolina State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu celebrates with fans after being picked by the Carolina Panthers with the sixth pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
North Carolina State offensive lineman Ickey Ekwonu in the green room during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
North Carolina State offensive lineman Ickey Ekwonu poses for a photo during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Gunner Stahl via AP)
North Carolina State offensive lineman Ickey Ekwonu poses for a photo during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Gunner Stahl via AP)
IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR SIRIUSXM - Carolina Panthers first-round pick Ikem Ekwonu visits SiriusXM NFL Radio at the 2022 NFL Draft, Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (Eric Jamison/AP Images for SiriusXM)
North Carolina State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu poses in the media room after he was chosen by the Carolina Panthers with the 6nd pick during the 2022 NFL Draft, Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)
North Carolina State offensive lineman Ickey Ekwonu poses for a photo during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Gunner Stahl via AP)
North Carolina State offensive lineman Ickey Ekwonu poses for a photo during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Gunner Stahl via AP)
North Carolina State offensive lineman Ickey Ekwonu celebrates in the green room with his family after being selected sixth overall by the Carolina Panthers during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
North Carolina State offensive lineman Ickey Ekwonu is seen walking to the stage after being selected sixth overall by the Carolina Panthers during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
North Carolina State offensive lineman Ickey Ekwonu celebrates in the green room with his family after being selected sixth overall by the Carolina Panthers during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
North Carolina State offensive lineman Ickey Ekwonu during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
North Carolina State offensive lineman Ickey Ekwonu poses for a photo after being selected sixth overall by the Carolina Panthers during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
North Carolina State offensive lineman Ickey Ekwonu is seen walking to the stage after being selected sixth overall by the Carolina Panthers during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
