The Carolina Panthers have signed former Steelers center Fernando Velasco, the team announced this evening.

https://twitter.com/Panthers/status/492062842602807297

The free agent center was signed by the Steelers last September after Maurkice Pouncey suffered a season ending injury during week one against Tennessee. The former Titans starter stepped in and exceeded the expectations of many fans and members of the media. He was placed on Injured Reserve after suffering an achilles injury in November.

Last year when Velasco didn’t make the Titans final roster, then Head Coach Mike Munchak said, “Fernando’s a guy who grew up with me as a line coach, so you know how I felt about him.” He went on to say that money wasn’t part of the reason he was released. With Munchak leading the Steelers offensive line this year, it’s not hard to imagine that his influence was a big factor in Velasco not being re-signed.