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Failed Panthers Signing About to Play Final Game With Team on Sunday

By Richard Louis

Dec 15, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Dec 15, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images / Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
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The regular season is sadly coming to an end. In the first season under Dave Canales, the Panthers doubled their win total from the year before and roll into Week 18 with a 4-12 record.

The Panthers have their work cut out for them in the new year as they seek to build a good and competitive roster. This team will look different next season, and that should be for the better.

Many players will get released and traded this offseason so they'll be playing their last game with the Panthers on Sunday. One of those players will be RB Miles Sanders.

Sanders has been sidelined since Week 10 against the New York Giants. He was placed on IR with an ankle injury and has been out.

On Jan. 1, Carolina designated Sanders for return to practice, and he has a shot of playing in the season finale. He was a full participant in Wednesday's practice and was limited on Thursday's session.

Depending on his status for Friday's session, the Penn State product has a chance to return on Sunday. And that could be the last time he suits up for the Panthers. In 2023, Carolina gave Sanders a four-year, $25.4 million, with $13 million guaranteed.

Since coming over to Carolina, Sanders hasn't been that productive. In 26 games with the team, he has 571 rushing yards and two touchdowns. If the Panthers moved on from Sanders this offseason, they'll only get him with a $2.95 million dead cap hit.

Another reason it makes sense to move on from Sanders is the emergence of Chubba Hubbard. In November, the Panthers gave the 25-year-old a four-year, $33.2 million extension and he looks the part of a star tailback.

Hubbard was placed on IR after Week 16 but still heads into Week 18 ranked eighth in the league in carries (250) and rushing yards (1,195) while being tied for 12th in rushing touchdowns (10).

If Sanders is around in 2025, he have a $8 million cap hit, but the Panthers could use those funds elsewhere on the team. The Panthers gave Sanders a shot to be around for the long term, but it didn't work out. And he may be playing his last game with them on Sunday.

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