Eagles Ex RB Miles Sanders 'Looks Forward' To Role With Panthers
Former Philadelphia Eagles standout and 2022 Pro Bowl running back Miles Sanders is already excited about his new role with the Carolina Panthers.
During his media availability on Wednesday morning, Sanders told reporters he is "looking forward" to being a three-down back for the Panthers.
"I'm looking forward to getting back into that three-down-type back (role)," Sanders said. "Just flow with it and see what happens."
Sanders joins the Panthers after four seasons with the Eagles. His best season came last year with the Eagles, as he rushed for 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning himself a four-year, $25 million contract with the Panthers this offseason.
Sanders will reunite with former Eagles assistant head coach and running backs coach Duce Staley, who was on the Eagles coaching staff from 2011-2020. After Staley didn't receive the Eagles head coaching job in 2021, he joined Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell's staff from 2021-2022. After a short stint in Detroit, he joins former Eagles offensive coordinator and first-year Panthers head coach Frank Reich in Carolina. Staley will take on the same role he did with the Eagles and Lions as assistant head coach and running backs coach, allowing Sanders to be familiar with his new team.
Outside of Sanders, the Panthers' current running back room includes Chuba Hubbard, Raheem Blackshear, and Spencer Brown. It's group that has amassed under 1,300 total carries, so the team will likely lean on Sanders for a significant role this season.
The Panthers hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft and are expected to take a quarterback. Having a Pro Bowl running back like Sanders in the backfield should help to take pressure off a rookie quarterback.
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