In an effort to reshape their roster and manage salary cap limitations, the Carolina Panthers have officially released running back. His departure comes after two seasons with the team, during which he struggled to maintain his previous Pro Bowl-level performance.
He signed a four-year, $25 million contract with Carolina in 2023, arriving with high expectations following a stellar season with the Philadelphia Eagles. However, injuries and inconsistent play hampered his time with the Panthers. In 2024, he suffered a high ankle sprain during a game in Germany, landing him on injured reserve on November 23. Although he returned for the season finale against the Atlanta Falcons with a strong performance, it wasn’t enough to secure his spot on the roster.
“The writing has been on the wall for Sanders since 2023 when Frank Reich and Duce Staley—his biggest advocates—were fired after 11 games. Sanders, who inked a four-year, $25.4 million deal that year, saw his role diminish behind Chuba Hubbard. Even with backup Jonathon Brooks likely missing 2025 after a second ACL surgery, the Panthers can find more cost-effective options than the 27-year-old. Releasing Sanders would free up $5.23 million in cap space, though he’ll always have his two-touchdown performance in Week 18 against Atlanta when Hubbard and Brooks were sidelined.”
Financially, releasing Miles Sanders creates approximately $5.23 million in cap space, giving Carolina greater flexibility for future signings and roster moves.
As they prepare for the 2025 season, the Panthers remain focused on retooling their roster for improved competitiveness. Letting go of Sanders reflects their emphasis on both financial strategy and on-field production. Meanwhile, Sanders, a proven talent, will enter free agency with the chance to restart his career with a new team.
Sanders, who turns 28 before the 2025 season, managed just 205 rushing yards and two touchdowns in 11 games with two starts. Cutting ties with a backup while saving over $5 million seems like a logical decision for a non-playoff team, especially in an offseason where the 2025 NFL Draft offers a strong crop of running backs.