The Carolina Panthers are starting to show signs of life after a woeful first half of 2024. Things are finally beginning to click under head coach Dave Canales, who's growing in confidence as his hard work and unrivaled enthusiasm start to bear fruit.
Canales is no fool. He knows how much hard work is ahead before the Panthers can enter the NFC South title picture. Recent performances were much more encouraging. They'll count for nothing if his squad doesn't keep building positive momentum.
General manager Dan Morgan will be watching events closely. He's got half an eye on the upcoming offseason - his second in the prominent front-office position of power. He's also set the Panthers up nicely heading into the recruitment period, so hopes are high that the former linebacker can further strengthen the ranks as part of his long-term plans for growth.
For some, they'll be rewarded accordingly. For others, this will be the last season they'll be part of this exciting project before they are moved on. That's the nature of the business, and Morgan is harboring no sentiment to his decision-making process whatsoever.
With this in mind, here are five Panthers players, including veteran running back Miles Sanders, whose time in Carolina is coming to an end.
Carolina Panthers players whose time with the team is coming to an end
Miles Sanders - Carolina Panthers RB
Miles Sanders came to the Carolina Panthers in 2023 free agency after a Pro Bowl campaign with the Philadelphia Eagles. The running back had big ambitions to fill the gaping void left by All-Pro Christian McCaffrey. To say he failed to meet these lofty expectations would be a huge understatement.
Sanders never looked comfortable behind an unstable offensive line last season. He lacked the explosiveness and vision to gain yards when things weren't working in his favor. Once the former second-round pick went to injured reserve and Chuba Hubbard took over the mantle, he never got the starting job back.
This trend continued under the new regime. Sanders became an understudy to Hubbard, featuring more on passing downs. The same indifferent production followed before another trip to the injured reserve list. It now looks like the Penn State product has played his last game in Carolina.
With Jonathon Brooks available again after a year out with a torn ACL, the Panthers have no use for Sanders. Releasing him with one year remaining on his deal comes with $5 million in salary-cap savings attached. That seems like a foregone conclusion at this juncture.
Ian Thomas - Carolina Panthers TE
Most Carolina Panthers fans believe Ian Thomas outstayed his welcome long ago. They were perplexed when those in power under the previous regime kept him around - on pretty decent money - once his rookie contract expired. What followed was more inept production and an anonymous contribution to the passing game.
Thomas got the first shot at replacing Greg Olsen when the prolific Pro Bowl tight end departed for the Seattle Seahawks in 2020. He flashed promise as a rookie in 2018. However, it didn't take long to realize that this gamble wasn't going to pay off.
The former fourth-round selection out of Indiana was reduced to blocking responsibilities more often than not. Thomas performs better in this area, but he hardly sets the world alight either. With the player now on injured reserve and his contract once again up for renewal, the Panthers will never get a better opportunity to cut the cord on this experiment once and for all.
Nobody in the fanbase will be shedding too many tears when Thomas inevitably receives his marching orders. And in all honesty, he's got nobody to blame but himself.
Jordan Fuller - Carolina Panthers S
There was a significant amount of intrigue when the Carolina Panthers signed Jordan Fuller in free agency. The veteran safety knew Ejiro Evero well from their time together on the Los Angeles Rams. He brought quality credentials to the table and was expected to form a formidable backend tandem with Xavier Woods in 2023.
Fuller's flashed promise on occasion. A spell on injured reserve hasn't helped, but the performances haven't been near the required standard as yet.
The former sixth-round pick has featured in just five games. He's giving up 100 percent of targets and a 114.9 passer rating when targeted. Couple this with Fuller's lack of conviction against the run, it's not hard to picture his time in Carolina being a one-and-done arrangement.
This could be dependent on whether Evero sticks around. Carolina's defensive coordinator is expected to draw head coaching interest once again. A situation could also emerge where the Panthers opt for a fresh start and remove him from the equation depending on how things go over the next six games.
Either way, it's not looking especially promising for Fuller. The same also applies to Woods, who's out of contract and has regressed considerably in 2024.
Tommy Tremble - Carolina Panthers TE
The Carolina Panthers had high hopes for Tommy Tremble entering the season. His high-level work ethic and emerging leadership were praised by head coach Dave Canales throughout the summer. A prominent role was imminent for the tight end, but it's been the same old story so far.
Tremble's had problems with injuries. He's failed to take advantage of opportunities in the passing game when they arise. The emergence of rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders much earlier than anticipated only diminishes his chances of an extended stay beyond the campaign.
This is immensely disappointing for Tremble. The player's early development was severely mismanaged by Matt Rhule. Any time the former third-round pick out of Notre Dame seems to be gaining momentum, a time on the shelf soon follows.
What happens over the next six games will ultimately determine Tremble's fate. He'll get a solid audition with Sanders currently dealing with a neck issue. Capitalizing on it is crucial to convince those in power he's worthy of another deal once his rookie contract expires.
Brady Christensen - Carolina Panthers OL
Brady Christensen has emerged as a highly dependable and versatile offensive lineman. The Panthers needed both from the player after suffering injuries across the protection in recent weeks. He answered the call emphatically.
Christensen was demoted from his starting left guard role in favor of new signing Damien Lewis during the offseason. He stepped into the breach once center Austin Corbett was ruled out for the campaign with a torn bicep. He then switched to the left tackle spot once Ikem Ekwonu went down. It's a difficult task, but the former third-round selection adjusted superbly well.
The Panthers relegated Christensen to the swing backup across the offensive line once Ekwonu came back. They opted to move forward with Cade Mays as the starting center. The Tennessee product is playing well, but it was no doubt frustrating from the fourth-year pro's standpoint.
Carolina should make an effort to keep him around once his contract expires next spring. However, there's a good chance Christensen will take this opportunity to sign somewhere with a starting spot open. One couldn't begrudge him that after sacrificing a specialized area to help the team.