Dave Canales reveals Panthers approach to now-crowded running back room

If Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan shut down trade rumors regarding veteran running back Miles Sanders, head coach Dave Canales hinted at how he planned to use the team's stable of steady runners. 

In the second round, the Panthers selected Texas running back Jonathon Brooks. He joins starting running backs Chuba Hubbard and Sanders. 

Though Sanders looked like the odd-man-out in the running back position, Morgan shut down trade rumors and Canales revealed he plans to use every available running back to his disposal in the offense. 

"Every team that I have been on, we used all of our running backs at different points because it's just such a violent position," Canales said. "We look for those players who can handle that. But we are going to run the ball. It's going to be a non-negotiable for us. This gives us a real chance to add another good runner to the mix."

Brooks was an impressive runner while in college. During the 2023 season, which was truncated due to a knee injury, Brooks racked up 1,139 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. 

He will present a nice change of pace from Hubbard, who ran for 902 yards on 238 carries. 

With Canales valuing the run game, he said he sees all three backs playing a part within his revamped offense. 

"Our system calls for a back that can be used, of course, just in a traditional way, hand it to him," Canales said. "Then, how can we get this player in space? Being able to get him in perimeter screens check downs. We got a really cool empty package where we use the backs, flex them out to get matchups, things like that." 

It is a sentiment Morgan agrees with. 

"We got a really good running back room right now and when Dave and I took this job, we said that we were going to create competition in every position group," Morgan said.

The running back room may be crowded, but it was by design. Now it is time to see how all three running backs take on Canales' challenge.