Standing at his locker following the Carolina Panthers’ season-ending, shutout loss Jan. 7, capping an NFL-worse 2-15 campaign, running back Miles Sanders stood with a gray towel wrapped around both shoulders. His sullen eyes glanced around the room.
With 2023 mercifully concluded, Sanders was asked what he took away from a season that started with him signing a four-year, $25.4 million contract and opening as the featured back but ended with career-low production and in a reserve, nearly forgotten, role. Several seconds passed before suggesting: “Don’t get too comfortable. For me, personally, don’t get too comfortable.”
“I’ll just say that.”
#Panthers RB Miles Sanders was asked Sunday what he took away from 2-15 #NFL season: “Don’t get too comfortable” … pic.twitter.com/wZumJ2tXuO
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) January 8, 2024
Miles Sanders Confident In 2024 Role
Entering the offseason, the entire Panthers organization was uncomfortable. Gone was coach Frank Reich, fired after a 1-10 start, and then nearly the entire offensive coaching staff was jettisoned early in the offseason. Other changes followed quickly.
In came new general manager Dan Morgan and first-year coach Dave Canales, along with a cast of coaches and teammates, including second-round running back Jonathon Brooks and free-agent tailback Rashaad Penny.
Chuba Hubbard seized RB1 status in Week 6 and remains poised to register his first 1,000-yard campaign after falling 98 yards short last season. Sanders compiled 432 yards on 129 carries and one touchdown during his Panthers debut. His 3.3 yards per carry was the third lowest among all qualifying runners.
Despite the added training camp competition, Miles appeared more comfortable with his surroundings when he spoke to the media on June 11 following the opening of the three-day mandatory minicamp at the practice field behind Bank of America Stadium.
Of course, running backs generally feel better when the front office invests $153 million on two new starting guards (Robert Hunt, Damien Lewis).
Sanders described the Panthers’ new offensive philosophy under first-year coordinator Brad Idzik simply: “Looking at the new scheme, we’re going to run the ball, we’re going to run the ball, we’re going to run the ball, we’re going to run the ball.”
Quarterback Bryce Young’s rookie campaign was, at best, harsh. Pressured routinely, the 2023 first-overall draft pick was sacked 62 times, sixth most in league history. Among 41 quarterbacks who threw at least 160 passes last season, Young ranked at the bottom with 5.5 yards per attempt. Pro Football Focus graded Young as the third-worst signal caller, hindered by registering the lowest-rated bad-throw percentage (21.5 percent), according to Pro Football Reference.
RB Miles Sanders describes @Panthers offensive gameplan for the upcoming @NFL season ,,, pic.twitter.com/d9GqVf8GGa
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) June 19, 2024
Miles Sanders: ‘We Had Chemistry’
Canales and Idzik are designing an offense philosophy based on relieving pressure from Young.
The Panthers could possess a running back room capable of carrying the club through its rebuild. No longer the rotation’s centerpiece, Sanders spoke of remaining patient and helping those within the position group.
“We had chemistry since I got in here last year starting with Chuba and Raheem (Blackshear),” Sanders said. “And now we got Jonathon, we got a couple of other new guys, we got (Rashaad) Penny, Penny in there too and (Mike) Boone. The guys are great. We all get along very well.
“We compete real good. And the chemistry in there, we all help each other to learn to the playbook.”
While some NFL insiders see Sanders as a potential preseason cut candidate, considering he carries a $7.6 million cap hit, running back coach Bernie Parmalee insisted there’s an opportunity for Sanders to regain the form that guided him to gaining 1,269 yards with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022.
“He’s going to be fine,” Parmalee said. “Had a conversation with him. He’s awesome. He’s ready. We’re looking forward now. We’re not looking at nothing in the past and he’s ready to go.
“It’s like anything else. If you think you’re going to go unscathed in a career, you’re wrong; there’s going to be highs, and there’s going to be lows. It’s what you do, how you move in those moments, and that’s what we talk about.
“It’s a hungry group. ”
Feeling the rhythm before final #NFL OTA sprint , #panthers RB Chuba Hubbard (30) is expected to challenge the 1,000-yard marker in 2024 … pic.twitter.com/EzdiGZ5IDG
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) June 4, 2024
Main Image: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
