The Dallas Cowboys continue to reshape their backfield, signing former Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders to a one-year contract.
This move comes just days after the team also added Javonte Williams in an effort to strengthen their rushing attack.
A fresh start in Dallas
Sanders, a second-round pick out of Penn State in 2019, spent his first four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. His best year came in 2022, when he rushed for 1,269 yards and scored 11 touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl selection. Following that breakout campaign, he signed with the Panthers ahead of the 2023 season.
However, his time in Carolina was far from successful. Sharing backfield duties with Chuba Hubbard, Sanders struggled to replicate his past production. In his first year with the Panthers, he managed just 432 rushing yards and one touchdown, adding 154 receiving yards. His struggles continued into the 2024 season, where he posted a career-low 205 rushing yards and two touchdowns while missing six games due to an ankle injury.
The Panthers released Sanders this offseason, freeing up $5.225 million in cap space. Shortly after parting ways with him, Carolina signed former Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle, who had a breakout year in 2024.
Can Sanders boost the Cowboys’ ground game?
The Cowboys’ rushing attack underwhelmed last season, averaging just 100.3 yards per game-the sixth-lowest mark in the league. While Dowdle showed promise, Dallas lacked a consistent ground presence. By bringing in both Sanders and Williams, the team hopes to revamp its rushing offense and provide quarterback Dak Prescott with more support.
Sanders, still only 27, will look to prove he can return to his Pro Bowl form. If he stays healthy, he could be a valuable addition to a Dallas team that aims to make a deep playoff run.
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