Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard contract extension may spell the end for Pro Bowler, Miles Sanders. According to multiple reports, Carolina is giving a long-term deal to Hubbard that extends through 2028. It doesn’t help Sanders’ campaign with the Panthers already that Jonathon Brooks is set to make his debut. The commitment for Sanders may be out the window since they were trying to trade him this past offseason, including before the NFL trade deadline.
Originally selected in the 2019 Draft, the Penn State product was hoping to begin a new journey after leaving Philadelphia. Even though he was aiming for more snaps, it didn’t pan out for him. Sanders got the opportunities, especially from last year but he only recorded 432 yards on 129 carries. Brooks’s return will impact Sanders’s production to do anything so the Panthers will likely go younger as they’re heading for another rebuild.
There’s no word on who will be the future quarterback of this team. However, Hubbard and Brooks will likely be their new 1-2 punch backfield group which will kick out Sanders down the depth chart. Sanders heading to a new team seems like a no-brainer for both sides and since he’s looking for more touches, he’ll be better off playing with a roster that has all the pieces together for a championship run. The veteran might not wipe off the dust as his Super Bowl self but the Chargers, Ravens could bring out the best in him.
Panthers Chubba Hubbard Contract Extension May Spell End For Miles Sanders – Chargers, Ravens Next Teams?
The Harbaugh Vision
Los Angeles may be looking like a wild-card team but the running game hasn’t been as explosive as they were hoping. Gus Edwards is still battling his injuries but J.K. Dobbins has been holding the backfield intact to achieve Jim Harbaugh’s vision of running the football. However, they lack a ton of depth which is something they were struggling with last year with Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley. They aren’t around anymore but the depth is getting worse this year for them since Dobbins and Edwards have a strong history of injuries.
It’ll take more than just the running game for the Chargers to make a deep run in the postseason. However, the ground game would be useful to gain that momentum to get Justin Herbert in motion to feel comfortable to throw the football. The team might not get much out of Sanders, but they could take a chance on the veteran to see what he could do. As long as he stays healthy, he may pounce a couple of yards in critical moments.
More Speed in Baltimore
The Ravens are shaping themselves to have one of the greatest backfield rooms after releasing J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards. Derrick Henry was brought in hoping to make an impact as soon as he got on the field. The offensive has done phenomenally to get Henry in the mix as he leads all the other running backs in rushing yards. However, the team doesn’t run behind solely on Henry so they could get some extra speed behind him.
Recently extended Justice Hill is more of a dump-off piece that could gain those extra yards to get the first down. Keaton Mitchell is returning but he’s still healing from a brutal injury so they don’t want to hand the ball off to him often. The Ravens have no choice to do so since Sanders probably won’t be available until 2025. Sanders might not be the final answer but he could be their new Mark Ingram to create to find those holes and make separation to burst through.
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