Miles SandersHis future in Carolina was a topic of conversation before the campaign, and his situation continues to be a reason to watch closely. The veteran running back is attracting trade interest as the Panthers consider opting out of any number of contracts in the near future. 
Sanders is among the players mentioned in trade talks, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports. Carolina’s base already includes Czuba Hubbardand a second-round rookie Jonathan Brooks is close to activation. The presence of these two threatens to make Sanders redundant. Indeed, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, as well as ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, note that the 27-year-old is believed to be on a trade lock.
This comes as no surprise given the degree to which Sanders’ tenure with the Panthers has been a disappointment. The former Eagle had a career year in 2022, posting new personal bests in yards (1,269) and touchdowns (11) en route to a Pro Bowl nod. That production made him an attractive option on the open market, and he signed a four-year, $25.4 million pact with Carolina. This marked the largest running back investment of the 2022 offseason and raised high expectations for a strong performance in the undisputed leadership role.
However, Sanders averaged only 3.3 yards per carry in his Panthers rookie campaign. He was passed by Hubbard on the depth chart, leading to speculation that there might be a change of scenery. Immediately after the draft, however, it became clear that Karolina’s general manager Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales – neither of them held those titles when Sanders signed – was intended to keep Sanders in place. The former third-round pick briefly faced the prospect of continuing to compete in the backfield when Rashad Penny was brought in, but the oft-injured veteran eventually retired.
Despite this development, with Brooks starting the year on the NFI list, Sanders recorded only a 34% share in 2024. The Penn State product turned 33 carries into 132 yards and one touchdown, while also adding 65 yards without a score on the passing game. He is therefore on track for the least productive season of his six-year career, which will obviously reduce his market value in the eyes of potential suitors. On the other hand, Carolina boasts one of the worst offensive lines in the league while Sanders was on the team, and an improved offensive situation could result in a late-season rebound.
The acquiring team will be responsible for the remainder of Sanders’ $4.02 million base salary for this year, which should be manageable for at least most teams with an eye on frontcourt depth. He is due a $1 million bonus on the third day of the 2025 and ’26 league seasons, but none of his scheduled base salaries for those seasons are guaranteed. Therefore, Sanders can be considered a loaned player or a player whose long-term prospects will depend on the next team working out a restructuring aimed at reducing his future transfer limits ($8.18 million and then $6.98 million).
The value of the running back position has stagnated compared to many other positions in recent years, although several veterans changed teams on the open market this spring. Sanders could move soon via trade, and would then have the opportunity to start over with a new team (although he would likely simply serve as a rotation contributor rather than a starter with a rival). If not, the 1-6 Panthers will have an advantage at the defensive end once Brooks is activated.