The Dallas Cowboys lost running back Rico Dowdle to free agency after he signed a one-year, $6.25 million contract with the Carolina Panthers. In response, the Cowboys have signed a former Panthers’ running back to replace Dowdle.
The Dallas Cowboys have reached a one-year agreement with veteran running back Miles Sanders, as reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on X. The details of the contract have not been disclosed. Sanders, a second-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2019 draft, spent his first four seasons in Philly, becoming the team’s leading rusher. In 2022, he rushed for a career-best 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl selection. After that season, he signed a four-year deal with the Panthers as a free agent.
In Carolina, Chuba Hubbard emerged as the top running back, relegating Sanders to a backup role. Over two seasons with the Panthers, Sanders accumulated just 637 yards and three touchdowns in 27 games. The Panthers cut him this offseason, saving $5.23 million in cap space.
Now, Sanders will return to the NFC East with the Cowboys, who needed running back depth after not re-signing Rico Dowdle, despite his 1,000-yard performance in 2024. Dallas also signed Denver Broncos veteran Javonte Williams to a one-year, $3 million contract in free agency. At the moment, Sanders is expected to be the Cowboys’ RB2.
The team’s running back situation could change depending on the draft, with rumors circulating that Dallas is interested in Boise State’s top running back, Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty could be available when the Cowboys pick at No. 12, and the additions of Sanders and Williams are unlikely to prevent Jerry Jones from selecting a running back early in the draft.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys are working on an extension for star pass rusher Micah Parsons. However, they recently lost veteran defender Demarcus Lawrence to the Seattle Seahawks, who signed him to a three-year, $42 million deal. Lawrence has since made headlines by criticizing the Cowboys’ chances of winning a Super Bowl, which has sparked a personal feud between him and Parsons.
