The $25 million signing has not panned out for the Carolina Panthers, and the team has cut the $25 million running back at the start of the 2025 league year. A second-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, he joined the Panthers after a standout 1,200-yard Pro Bowl season with Philadelphia. However, he struggled to replicate that success in Carolina, losing the starting role to Chuba Hubbard in 2023 and failing to regain it.
While he showed some improvement in 2024, his performance hasn’t been strong enough to justify his current salary. Even with second-round pick Jonathon Brooks recovering from another ACL injury, Hubbard has proven to be a capable starter. By releasing Sanders, the Panthers could save over $5.2 million, which could be used to address defensive needs. Although Sanders is unlikely to stay with Carolina, he should be able to secure a high-level backup role with a team like the Kansas City Chiefs or Los Angeles Chargers.
Chiefs, Chargers Could Sign Miles Sanders After Panthers Release
The Kansas City Chiefs have found great value in former seventh-round pick Isiah Pacheco, whose tough, downhill running style has provided starting-caliber play at a bargain price. However, with Pacheco set to become a free agent at the end of the season, he may have played his way out of the Chiefs’ price range. The team has just $11.5 million in projected cap space, and much of that will be needed to retain key free agents like Trey Smith, Nick Bolton, and DeAndre Hopkins.
While Miles Sanders shouldn’t be the Chiefs’ first choice, the veteran Panthers running back could be a solid backup or short-term starter if Pacheco leaves. With the 2025 NFL Draft featuring a deep running back class, the Chiefs may look to invest in a third- or fourth-round back as the future of their backfield. In the meantime, Sanders could provide immediate value as a reliable starter or high-end backup, especially if Kareem Hunt retires in the offseason.
Winning In the Trenches
Head coach Jim Harbaugh is focused on winning games with a strong running game. While he led the Chargers to the playoffs in his first year, he didn’t establish the type of rushing attack he envisioned. J.K. Dobbins showed flashes of brilliance when healthy, but the former second-round pick struggled to stay on the field. Gus Edwards, on the other hand, didn’t live up to his contract and couldn’t regain his 13-touchdown form from 2023. With Dobbins set to leave as a free agent, the team needs a proven running back to lead a young rookie, and Miles Sanders could be an ideal fit for the role.
The Chargers have $63 million in cap space, but most of that will likely go toward adding a free agent wide receiver and addressing the interior offensive line. With a deep talent pool in the NFL Draft, the team could get by with a cost-effective signing like Miles Sanders to handle the starting duties while the rookie running back develops.
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