3 Panthers veterans that should be cut before 2022 free agency
By Dean Jones
Cam Erving – Carolina Panthers OT
- Cap saving – $2 million
The Carolina Panthers placing their faith in Cam Erving to solve their major issues on the blindside ended up being a huge mistake. Despite a less than efficient NFL career so far, the former first-round pick was signed just hours into free agency on a two-year deal, which was a strange move then and even more so now.
Erving has never been a premier left tackle. Not even close, actually.
Carolina found that out to their cost throughout the season, with the Florida State product wilting under pressure, and even went as far as to criticize the media who dared comment on his poor performance.
Of all the decisions made by the Panthers under this regime, penning Erving to this sort of contract was one of their biggest errors. If they want to end this experiment after just one season, it would save them $2 million in cap space but also come with $4.51 million in dead money for good measure.
Erving gave up three sacks and conceded four penalties from 589 snaps this season to record a 56.0 grade from Pro Football Focus. Rookie third-rounder Brady Christensen looked far better manning the edge in the veteran’s absence down the stretch and there is also the prospect of Carolina adding a potentially elite player at the position in free agency of from No. 6 overall in the draft.
Signing Erving was a disaster. And the Panthers would be wise to move on at the earliest possible opportunity.