Carolina Panthers fans are excited to see what general manager Dan Morgan has in store when the 2025 NFL draft goes down next week. The draft is just the next stop on a busy offseason for the Panthers, who've already handed out 12 new contracts within the last month or so, according to Spotrac.
The Panthers weren't able to re-sign all of their free agents, however, they did manage to retain some familiar faces like cornerback Michael Jackson and wideout David Moore. Even though other ex-Carolina players have since found new homes, the door is still open for GM Morgan to bring back a handful of names, including a specific veteran playmaker.
Panthers Can Still Re-Sign RB Mike Boone in Free Agency
Veteran running back Mike Boone is still available if the Panthers are interested in a reunion. The 29-year-old runner has played games for four franchises across seven previous seasons, spending his most recent campaign with Carolina on a one-year contract.
With Jonathan Brooks, Chuba Hubbard, and Miles Sanders missing varying amounts of time due to injury, Boone managed to play 43 offensive snaps across six appearances with the Panthers. The ex-Cincinnati RB recorded 51 rushing yards on 13 carries (3.9 yards per attempt), earning a career-best 64.9 run grade on Pro Football Focus for his work.
Boone has since hit free agency, while the Panthers have signed former Dallas Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle while also re-signing Raheem Blackshear. Having said that, even with Hubbard's presence included, there's still room for the Macclenny, FL native in Carolina's backfield.
Injuries are a part of the NFL experience, and having as much veteran depth as possible is never a bad idea. The Panthers could use RB depth with Jonathan Brooks potentially missing the entire 2025 season as he recovers from a second ACL surgery, while Hubbard and Dowdle only have one 17-game season between them since the start of the 2022 campaign.
With that in mind, there's little risk with bringing Boone back, even if it's only as a practice squad body. The veteran runner is more than familiar with head coach Dave Canales' staff, and that's the type of connection the Panthers need in a player who can step up when injuries strike.
On top of that, signing Boone can likely be done for cheap due to his limited career opportunities — a low-risk, high-reward situation. In other words, the Panthers should act quickly if a reunion entices them.
Otherwise, Boone might end up being another team's boon.