The Carolina Panthers made a splash in free agency on Wednesday, signing former Philadelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders to a four-year deal. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Adam Schefter were first with the news.
Sanders spent the first four campaigns of his NFL career in Philadelphia, where he put together an impressive resume of 4,650 yards from scrimmage and 23 total touchdowns. In his first season with the Eagles, Sanders finished fourth in AP Offensive Rookie of the Year voting after rushing for 818 yards and adding 509 more through the air.
He joins the Panthers fresh off his most productive season as a rusher, having racked up 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns off 259 carries as well as his first Pro Bowl nod.
In Carolina, Sanders will reunite with his former assistant head coach/running backs coach from the Eagles, Duce Staley, who is now serving in the same position for the Panthers. The two had a close relationship in Philly, with Sanders telling reporters it was “definitely difficult” to see Staley leave in 2021. Staley had also heaped praise on Sanders’ big-play ability from their time together.
The addition of Sanders may mean the Panthers will not re-sign their leading rusher from 2022, D’Onta Foreman, who did not accept Carolina’s initial offer and opted to test the market this offseason. Foreman was efficient with the Panthers last season, recording 924 rushing yards and five scores off 203 carries.
Update (9:03 p.m. ET):
Per ESPN’s David Newton, the deal is worth $25 million over four years.
The Miles Sanders deal with the #Panthers is for $25 million over four years, per sources.
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) March 16, 2023
