The Carolina Panthers running back room faces uncertainty heading into the offseason. While Chuba Hubbard will start and receive the lion’s share of reps, the other two (or three) running back spots are yet to be determined. Jonathon Brooks could miss most, if not all, of the 2025 season with his second ACL tear, Miles Sanders could be gone after two disappointing seasons in Carolina, and their return specialist is a free agent.
Also Read: Carolina Panthers: Rookie Receives Gut-Wrenching Injury News for Week 15
The Carolina Panthers running back/return specialist is an RFA
Raheem Blackshear completed the final year of his exclusive rights free agent tender and is a restricted free agent. Blackshear had a solid year returning kicks, finishing first in returns and second in kick return yardage, but he did not offer much on offense, rushing for 80 yards in 61 snaps. He had 31 kick returns for 791 yards and 17 punt returns for 145 yards.
Since Blackshear was undrafted, his RFA tender is classified as the right of first refusal only worth $3.26 million, non-guaranteed in 2025. The Panthers have until March to exercise or decline the tender.
Panthers make $3 million decision on star return specialist
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Panthers will not tender Raheem Blackshear. Therefore, Blackshear will hit free agency as an unrestricted free agent. However, they could retain their star return specialist on a cheaper contract.
The #Panthers are not tendering RFA running back Raheem Blackshear, per source.
Blackshear, who will hit free agency, was Carolina’s primary kick and punt returner.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 2, 2025
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