NFL Trade Rumors: Panthers' Miles Sanders Could Be Available as Brooks Nears Return
October 20, 2024
Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders is believed to be available on the trade market, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
Jordan Schultz @Schultz_ReportSources: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Panthers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Panthers</a> RB Miles Sanders is believed to be available on the trade market, especially with rookie Jonathan Brooks returning and Chuba Hubbard handling most of the workload so far.<br><br>Sanders has played just 35% of snaps this season, and that number could decrease further. <a href="https://t.co/ykg0GFvVWj">pic.twitter.com/ykg0GFvVWj</a>
Schultz noted that Chuba Hubbard has handled the majority of snaps in the backfield for the Panthers this season. Carolina also designated rookie Jonathon Brooks to return from the non-football injury list on Wednesday.
Brooks hasn't played during the 2024 season due to a torn ACL that he suffered in Nov. 2023 as a member of the Texas Longhorns.
With the Panthers sitting at 1-5 through six weeks, they could be active ahead of the Nov. 5 trade deadline and look to acquire future draft capital in exchange for veterans.
Head coach Dave Canales was even asked about moving Hubbard following Brooks' return and didn't rule it out entirely.
"Again, we just gotta get Jonathon out there, see where he's at, take a good evaluation of him playing football, moving around with confidence and then we'll make those decisions," Canales said, per Anthony Rizzuti of Panthers Wire.
ESPN's David Newton reported on Thursday that the team isn't interested in trading Hubbard, though. While the former fourth-round pick would likely be coveted by opposing teams after averaging 5.6 yards per carry this season, it appears as though Carolina is focused on pairing him with Brooks.
NFL @NFLThere goes Chuba Hubbard for a <a href="https://twitter.com/Panthers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Panthers</a> touchdown! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KeepPounding?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KeepPounding</a> <br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CARvsCHI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CARvsCHI</a> on FOX<br>📱: <a href="https://t.co/waVpO909ge">https://t.co/waVpO909ge</a> <a href="https://t.co/WHZzLWr0ox">pic.twitter.com/WHZzLWr0ox</a>
This leaves Sanders as the odd man out. The 27-year-old hasn't lived up to expectations since signing a four-year, $25.4 million contract with the Panthers as a free agent in 2023.
Sanders has accumulated a mere 98 rush yards on 30 attempts this season, finding the end zone once. In 22 career games with Carolina, he's averaged just 3.3 yards per attempt.
A possible change of scenery could benefit Sanders, as he's only two years removed from rushing for 1,269 yards and earning a Pro Bowl nod as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.