The Carolina Panthers clearly need some weapons at quarterback Bryce Young, so you might find it odd that they’re being asked to take down a former Pro Bowler.
However, in this case it is completely understandable.
Dean Jones of Cat Crave suggested that the Panthers release running back Miles Sanders this offseason, which would open up $5.22 million in cap space. Given that Carolina is in a rather dire financial situation heading into free agency, parting ways with Sanders makes perfect sense.
The Panthers signed Sanders in March 2023, hoping he would bring an explosive, versatile piece to a backfield that sorely needed one.
Unfortunately, the former Philadelphia Eagles star was a huge disappointment in Carolina, as he racked up a total of 637 yards and three touchdowns on the ground in his first two seasons with the Panthers. He also averaged a measly 3.5 yards per carry.
This stands in stark contrast to his four-year tenure with the Eagles, where Sanders made a Pro Bowl appearance in 2022 after racking up 1,269 yards and 11 scores as a runner.
Now, with the emergence of Chuba Hubbard as an elite running back in Carolina, Sanders has become completely replaceable.
Sanders has two years left on his contract, so cutting him now would help the Panthers avoid a potentially much bigger headache in the future.
Carolina can easily find a replacement for the 27-year-old in free agency or the NFL Draft, and it’s important to remember that the Panthers also have Jonathon Brooks waiting in the wings. That being said, Brooks might not be available until 2026.
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