Some believed the Carolina Panthers could be competitive last season after drafting quarterback Bryce Young No. 1 overall and adding wide receiver Adam Thielen and running back Miles Sanders.
Sanders was coming off a career-best season with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022, where he rushed for 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 4.9 yards per carry, which earned him his first Pro Bowl nod. He played a crucial role in the Eagles’ near Super Bowl victory and was expected to help the Panthers progress.
However, Sanders had a disappointing 2023 season, leading Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report to label him as a trade candidate for a Panthers team that finished 2-15.
“They should be looking to offload Miles Sanders whether they start the season strong or not,” Ballentine wrote. “They would save $6.2 million against the cap if they could find him a home, and he is clearly not part of the running back plan after the Panthers drafted Jonathon Brooks with the 46th pick in the draft.”
Given the circumstances, trading Miles Sanders might be the best course of action for the Panthers. The 2023 season was tumultuous, with the team finishing 31st in points scored and last in passing yards and total offense. Bryce Young struggled significantly, throwing for just 2,877 yards and 11 touchdowns with a completion rate of 59.8%.
Sanders’ performance dropped to 432 rushing yards and one touchdown, averaging only 3.3 yards per carry, despite missing just one game. In contrast, Chuba Hubbard had over twice as many rushing attempts, recording 902 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
At 27 years old, Sanders likely still has some potential left. However, with Brooks, Carolina’s second-round draft pick, who posted 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns at the University of Texas before an ACL injury, Sanders’ future with the team seems uncertain.
It might be wise for the Panthers to trade Sanders, as he doesn’t align with Young’s developmental timeline and isn’t a game-changing tailback. This move could help clear financial space and allow the team to build through the draft and strategic free-agent signings in other positions, making a trade for Sanders a likely scenario.
