As Bradley Bozeman approached free agency last offseason, the Baltimore Ravens didn’t seem to consider re-signing him as much of a priority. That won’t be the case this year with the Carolina Panthers as Bozeman prepares to enter free agency again.

While speaking with reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, new Panthers coach Frank Reich said keeping Bozeman would be “a priority” for Carolina this offseason.

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Only six teams in NFL history have rushed for more than 3,000 yards in one season, including the Ravens in 2019 and 2020. Bozeman played virtually every offensive snap at left guard for those teams.

Bozeman shifted to center for Baltimore in 2021, the final season of his rookie contract signed after joining the Ravens from Alabama in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

The sports financial website spotrac.com estimated Bozeman’s market value as a four-year, $39.896 million contract. Instead, the Panthers added Bozeman for a one-year, $2.8 million contract that included a $1 million signing bonus, which was the guaranteed portion of the deal.

Bozeman didn’t play an offensive snap in Carolina’s first six games of the 2022 season, but he played every one in the remaining 11.

The Panthers opened the season with former Minnesota Vikings starter Pat Elflein at center. Elflein’s season-ending hip injury opened a spot in the lineup for Bozeman.

When Bozeman entered the lineup, Carolina had a 1-5 record. The Panthers went 6-5 with Bozeman at center. After averaging 90.3 rushing yards per game without Bozeman, the Panthers averaged 151.6 with him.

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“I like where our offensive line is at,” Carolina general manager Scott Fitterer said on Wednesday. “We need to — we’re working on Bozeman — if we can get that piece in place.”

A standout at Handley High School in Roanoke, Bozeman served as Alabama’s starting center in the 2016 and 2017 seasons, capping his career in the Crimson Tide’s 26-23 overtime victory against Georgia in the CFP national championship game.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.