Big moves are shaking up the NFL as free-agent running back Miles Sanders is heading to the Dallas Cowboys on a one-year deal. Multiple sources, including NFL Network, ESPN, and KPRC2 Houston, confirmed the agreement on Friday, signaling a fresh start for the 27-year-old back after a challenging stint with the Carolina Panthers.
The Cowboys, looking to revamp their rushing attack, are bringing in Sanders just days after also signing Javonte Williams to a one-year contract. With these new additions, the team is hoping to improve on a backfield that struggled last season. In fact, Dallas ranked near the bottom of the league in rushing yards, finishing with the sixth-fewest in the NFL.
Meanwhile, Rico Dowdle, the Cowboys' leading rusher from last season with 1,079 yards on the ground and a total of 1,328 yards from scrimmage, is moving in the opposite direction. Dowdle agreed to a deal with the Carolina Panthers, where he is expected to back up Chuba Hubbard.
Sanders, once a promising star with the Philadelphia Eagles, had a rough 2024 season in Carolina. After signing a four-year, $25 million contract with the Panthers in 2023, he struggled to maintain his role as the lead back. Eventually, he lost the starting job to Chuba Hubbard. His numbers took a hit, posting a career-low 205 rushing yards and just two touchdowns on 55 carries.
Despite his recent struggles, Sanders has a solid track record in the league. A second-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, he surpassed 900 scrimmage yards in each of his first four seasons with the Eagles. Even more impressive, he eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in three of those seasons while consistently finding the end zone with at least six touchdowns.
The Cowboys' backfield will now feature Sanders alongside Williams, as well as Deuce Vaughn and Malik Davis, who remain under contract. With fresh talent in the mix, Dallas hopes to reignite its rushing attack and provide more support for its offense.
As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on how Sanders performs in his new role. Can he reclaim the spark that made him a star in Philadelphia? Will he help the Cowboys bounce back from their struggles on the ground? One thing's for sure—this move adds an exciting new dynamic to the Dallas backfield and could be a game-changer for both Sanders and the Cowboys.
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