With members of the media invading the Carolina Panthers’ post-practice locker room Monday, running back Miles Sanders started walking to the back area. He could be heard mumbling: “I don’t want to talk …”
Who can blame him?
This time last season, Sanders lined up as a focus on then-coach Frank Reich’s ever-evolving offensive scheme. After signing a four-year, $25.4 million contract, Sanders failed to gain traction, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry. Two weeks later, Sanders lost the starting role to Chuba Hubbard, who remains RB1 entering Sunday’s season-opening matchup at the New Orleans Saints.
What would Sanders want to discuss about last season? His career lows in starts (five), rushing attempts (129) and yards (432)? His one touchdown, compared to the 11 he scored the previous season?
Sanders could have discussed his role in new coach Dave Canales’ run-first offensive attack. A philosophy the rookie coach referred to as “non-negotiable.”
Canales was asked if he has a preference for feeding a featured back or splitting up the carries.
“There’s value to both,” Canales told reporters. “Just talking to running backs over the years, there is value to letting a guy be out there and get the rhythm to really start breathing, seeing the runs, pressing it, feeling how the line’s blocking on the day.
And then there’s a flip side of it where you have two really good backs and you just rotate them through. That’s really the hope that we would approach for. Keep Miles and Chuba to spot each other as we go through it.”
#Panthers RB Miles Sanders runs through #NFL practice drill … pic.twitter.com/yprp2mPgmB
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) September 2, 2024
Miles Sanders Wants To Run Wild
Sanders wasn’t always silent. The 2019 second-round draft pick did speak to the media during offseason training activities (OTAs) last summer. Starting lower on the depth chart isn’t foreign to Sanders. He overcame similar competitive situations with the Philadelphia Eagles and remains focused on improving last season’s 3.3 yards per carry, the third-lowest average among all qualifying running backs.
“Just the ups and downs in this league,” Sanders told reporters. “This league is very similar to life, in my opinion. And so you’re just going to go through all types of emotions throughout the year.
“But you know, the past is the past, and I’m here now.”
While Sanders didn’t take much time to discuss his place within the system following the Labor Day practice, he sounded confident during the OTAs in how the players were adapting to Canales’ system.
“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,” Sanders said, repeating himself four times for emphasis. And we’re going to create a lot of opportunities for the guys that we have to get the ball in their hands, and it’s going to be a fun year.
“It’s going to be a very fun year.”
A fun year?
At least he’s hopeful his production will improve.
#Panthers RB Miles Sanders takes a break from #NFL practice on Labor Day … pic.twitter.com/0fktkMz3AJ
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) September 3, 2024
Sanders Looking Ahead, Not Back To 2023
Flashback to Oct. 1, 2023, and Sanders stood in the locker room attempting to explain away his 19 yards rushing on 13 attempts and the Panthers remaining winless in four outings. He spoke out on the harsh reaction the players received from the booing fans at Bank of America Stadium.
“It’s not cool,” he said after the Panthers’ 21-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. “It’s not cool at all. Especially at home. It’s not a good feeling.”
Additional sour emotions followed Nov. 9, 2023, when Sanders lost five yards on two carries in a 16-13 loss to the host Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football.
Carrying a 2024 salary cap hit of approximately $7.7 million, Sanders’ deal has emerged as a popular subject while discussing lists of the league’s worst contracts. Sanders also has been mentioned as a trade candidate after injured rookie Jonathon Brooks (knee) makes his scheduled debut around Week 4.
Opening the regular season against the NFC South-rival Saints, Sanders could give fans something to talk about if he successfully spells Hubbard and provides an early-season spark.
Coming off a career-worst campaign, Sanders had a training camp message for the media. After maintaining his balance following a hard hit and capping the effort by running into the end zone, Sanders turned and yelled: “All y’all been talking on me, I got something for you!”
@Panthers RB Miles Sanders proves he was “doin’ it right” before Thursday’s @NFL training camp joint practice with @nyjets … pic.twitter.com/vaE8f0thOk
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) August 16, 2024
Main Image: McKenzie Lange/ Staff / USA TODAY NETWORK
