First-year head coach Dave Canales helped the Carolina Panthers make significant progress, improving from a two-win team to one that won five games last season. A major factor in this improvement was the positive development of Bryce Young, who saw his touchdown-to-interception ratio improve from 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions to 15 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.
Despite the progress the Panthers made last season, they’re still not where they want to be. With the offseason approaching, predictions are circulating that the team may move on from a former Pro Bowl player as part of their ongoing rebuild and efforts to improve for the future.
Carolina Panthers expected to release Miles Sanders
As the Carolina Panthers look to upgrade their roster, they’ll need to create some roster spots in addition to making additions. One potential move could be releasing running back Miles Sanders, who signed a four-year, $25 million contract in 2023 when Frank Reich was still the team’s head coach. However, with Reich now gone, Sanders has fallen to second-string duties under head coach Dave Canales.
Joseph Person of The Athletic predicts the Carolina Panthers will move on from running back Miles Sanders by cutting him this offseason. According to Person, the writing has been on the wall for Sanders since 2023, when Frank Reich and Duce Staley—his two biggest supporters—were fired after 11 games. Sanders, who signed a four-year, $25.4 million deal, saw his role diminish behind Chuba Hubbard. Even with backup Jonathon Brooks expected to miss the 2025 season after a second ACL surgery, the Panthers could find cheaper options than the 27-year-old Sanders. Cutting Sanders would create $5.23 million in cap space, although he will always be remembered for his two-touchdown performance in Week 18 against Atlanta, when Hubbard and Brooks were unavailable.
Miles Sanders will turn 28 before the 2025 season begins, but his production in 2024 was underwhelming, with just 205 rushing yards and two touchdowns over 11 games and two starts. Releasing Sanders and saving over $5 million would be a smart move for a Panthers team that wasn’t contending for a playoff spot last season. The timing is particularly ideal with the 2025 NFL Draft class being rich in running back talent, allowing the Panthers to find a more cost-effective replacement.