The Carolina Panthers have released running back Miles Sanders after two seasons despite two years remaining on his contract. The team announced the move on Tuesday, March 11, as Sanders will now be searching for a new team in free agency.
Carolina Panthers Part Ways With Miles Sanders
After serving just two years of his four-year contract with Carolina, Sanders is now a free agent. The move saves the Panthers $10.725 million over the next two seasons. However, if designated as a post-June 1 cut, that figure rises to $12.2 million, with $6.7 million in cap savings coming in 2025.
Sanders was drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft and spent four years with the Philadelphia Eagles before signing with Carolina as a free agent in 2023. During his time in Philadelphia, Sanders rushed for 3,941 yards and 22 touchdowns while adding 965 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.
However, he couldn’t replicate that production in Carolina, managing just 939 combined yards and four total touchdowns over two seasons.
Despite signing a four-year deal, Sanders lost the starting job to Chuba Hubbard by Week 4 of the 2023 season. From that point on, Sanders was limited to backup duty, only seeing increased touches when injuries occurred.
The Panthers then selected Texas running back Jonathon Brooks in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The college standout suffered an ACL tear in his final year at Texas but was still the first running back taken. Yet, after a delayed start to his rookie season, Brooks suffered another ACL tear in just his third game for Carolina.
What’s Next for Sanders and the Panthers?
With Brooks’ injury likely keeping him out for most, if not all, of the 2025 season, the Panthers will need to add depth at running back. While a return for Sanders on a less expensive deal isn’t out of the question, Carolina may prefer to target an RB in the 2025 NFL Draft, which features a strong class at the position.
Hubbard proved to be a capable starter in 2024, meaning Carolina is unlikely to spend big on a free agent running back. However, with major needs on both sides of the ball, signing a depth piece before the draft at a reasonable cost could make sense.
As for Sanders, a return to Philadelphia shouldn’t be ruled out. He had four productive years with the Eagles before moving to Carolina. Wherever he lands in 2025, though, the best-case scenario seems to be a rotational role, given his struggles in the NFC South.