All Panthers

Former Panthers running back lands with laughably ironic new team

They might as well have traded Rico Dowdle for Miles Sanders.
Zach Roberts|
Jan 5, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (6) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Jan 5, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (6) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

In this story:

Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers did their best to try and restructure Miles Sanders. Knowing that Jonathon Brooks was probably out for the year, they knew they needed a short-term answer in the backfield behind Chuba Hubbard. Drafting was out since that would be a multi-year contract, and so they tried to get Sanders on a cheaper contract.

The two sides couldn't work it out, though, and he was released. Enter Rico Dowdle, whose salary is just $3 million and he replaces Sanders as the primary backup. In an absolutely hilarious and ironic twist, Sanders has now found a new home with Dowdle's former team, the Dallas Cowboys.

Also on a one-year deal, Sanders once again figures to be the backup. He may, however, work his way into a committee as the Cowboys signed Javonte Williams, a former North Carolina product, earlier this offseason.

Sanders will have more opportunities in Dallas, though. Chuba Hubbard took the vast majority of offensive snaps last year in Carolina before missing the last two games, but Williams is not on the same level.

Sign and trades don't really happen in the NFL all that often, and when they do, they're almost always tag and trades. In this case, the Panthers and Cowboys didn't do a sign and trade for their backup running backs, but they might as well have given what transpired.

- Enjoy more free Panthers coverage with Carolina Panthers on SI - 

Carolina Panthers updated depth chart after first wave of free agency

Why one Panthers vet credits Bryce Young influencing him to re-sign

Insider drops update of Panthers’ potential pursuit of DPOY finalist

Panthers made one of smartest free agent moves no one’s talking about

Published
Zach Roberts
ZACH ROBERTS

Zachary Roberts is a journalist with a wide variety of experience covering basketball, golf, entertainment, video games, music, football, baseball, and hockey. He currently covers Charlotte sports teams and has been featured on Sportskeeda, Yardbarker, MSN, and On SI.

Home/News