Miles Sanders Eyes New Opportunities with the Cowboys Following NFC East Return

Miles Sanders, a free agent running back, is slated to ink a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys, as revealed by insider Jeremy Fowler from ESPN on Thursday evening. The specifics and financial details of the contract have not been disclosed yet. Earlier this week, Sanders was let go by the Carolina Panthers, a move that helped the team save $5.225 million on their salary cap.

Sanders is now set to make a return to the NFC East, having previously spent four years with the Philadelphia Eagles. This new deal comes shortly after Rico Dowdle, who was the Cowboys’ top rusher last season, signed with Sanders’ previous team, the Panthers, for a one-year contract worth $3 million. Dowdle had an impressive run in 2024, amassing 1,079 rushing yards for Dallas.

At 27, Sanders initially joined the Carolina Panthers with a four-year, $25.4 million deal back in 2023, after Frank Reich took the coaching helm. Sanders lost his starting position to Chuba Hubbard late in that season but managed to reclaim it under the guidance of coach Dave Canales in the following year.

During his stint with the Panthers, Sanders found the end zone only three times and racked up just 637 yards over two seasons, including a personal low of 205 yards on 55 carries in 2024.

Sanders had a standout year in 2022 with the Eagles, reaching new career peaks of 1,269 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, which led to his sole Pro Bowl appearance.

Throughout his six seasons in the NFL, he has accumulated 5,589 yards from scrimmage, scoring a total of 27 touchdowns. Sanders is the second running back this week to join the Cowboys as a free agent. The team recently acquired Javonte Williams, a former starter for the Denver Broncos, also on a one-year, $3 million agreement.