Former Carolina Panthers receiver Alex Erickson signs with new NFL team

The Carolina Panthers have strong ties to the Washington Commanders and Ron Rivera, and the current staff has developed a pipeline to bringing players from Charlotte to Washington, D.C., since he and his staff took over after parting ways with his former organization in 2019.

On Wednesday, the Commanders social media accounts announced WR/return specialist Alex Erickson became the latest former Panther to ink a deal with Washington. While the terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed, the move makes sense for several reasons

Welcome to the team, @ericksona86! pic.twitter.com/W9FFk0VR1G

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) May 4, 2022

The 29-year-old veteran spent the first five years of his career in Cincinnati before spending the 2021 season in Carolina. He signed with the Bengals in 2016 as a free agent after taking a similar path in college as a walk-on for the Wisconsin Badgers.

Erickson appeared in all 17 games for the Carolina Panthers last season, finishing with three receptions for 55 yards. He served as their primary punt returner, averaging 8.9 yards-per-return. 

It’s clear the former Badger has found his niche in the NFL. He returned 135 punts and 108 kicks in five seasons after making Cincinnati’s 53-man roster. He also had 93 receptions for 1,093 yards and one touchdown during his time with the Bengals. 

Ron Rivera remains attached to the Carolina Panthers

The Commanders continue to have strong ties to the Panthers. Rivera brought linebacker Thomas Davis with him when he replaced Jay Gruden and there was the blockbuster move to acquire Curtis Samuel —who saw almost no action during the 2021 campaign due to a lingering injury — ahead of last season.

The #Commanders have signed their fourth free agent from outside the building and for the fourth time the new addition is a former Carolina Panther.

(Although not under Rivera so I'm not sure if Alex Erickson is a true Commanther). pic.twitter.com/eIezdNXnqb

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) May 4, 2022

Joey Slye was the kicker during part of Rivera’s tenure with Carolina and is set to handle the same duties in Washington in 2022.

Those are just a few of the names, and while Rivera was gone during Erickson’s lone season with the Carolina Panthers last year, it’s obvious the highly-respected NFL head coach trusts his former organization and continues to tap into that pipeline if he sees a fit.

With the loss of Deandre Carter — who inked a deal with the Chargers and was a reliable threat as a returner, while making plays on offense when injuries provided opportunities — the signing feels like a safety blanket for a No. 7 WR who now appears to be the clear favorite to handle kickoff and punt returns.

Erickson is a trusted veteran who has carved his niche as an above average returner and it’s likely the organization would prefer to lean on the veteran over 2022 first-round draft pick Jahan Dotson — who starred as both a receiver and returner at Penn State — and let the rookie focus on his role as the No. 2 or No. 3 receiver behind Terry McClaurin.

Samuel appears to be at full strength and the team still has last year’s third round selection Dyami Brown and Washington re-signed former Alabama wideout Cam Sims.