What Happened to Ja'Tavion Sanders? Panthers’ Young Tight End Facing Uncertain Future
Heading into the 2025 season, Ja'Tavion Sanders looked like a player on the verge. The Panthers had plenty of uncertainty across the board, but Sanders stood out as one of the more exciting young pieces on a roster in transition. After flashing real potential as a rookie-before a neck injury cut his season short-there was genuine buzz around what the second-year tight end could become.
At 6-foot-4 with rare athleticism for the position, Sanders came into the league as a fourth-round pick who looked like he could be a steal. The physical tools were there.
The flashes were there. And with Bryce Young entering his second season, the hope was that Sanders might grow into a reliable safety valve for the young quarterback.
But that breakout never came.
Ten games into the season, Sanders has just 25 catches for 176 yards and no touchdowns. Not only has he failed to take a step forward-his production has actually dipped from his rookie year, when he posted 33 catches, 342 yards, and a score, despite missing time with injury.
So what gives?
The numbers paint a clear picture: Sanders hasn’t been a central part of Carolina’s offense in 2025. And it’s not just about the box score.
In the Panthers' recent win over the Rams, Sanders didn’t even see a target. Meanwhile, rookie tight end Mitchell Evans-drafted this past April-caught all three of his targets.
That kind of usage split tells a story.
Sanders still has two years left on his rookie deal, but the writing might already be on the wall. If the coaching staff trusted him as a key piece moving forward, you’d expect to see more involvement, especially with the team still in the hunt for the NFC South crown. Instead, he’s been phased out of the game plan.
There’s also the looming shadow of free agency. Carolina has already been linked to Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts-a move that would make a clear statement about where the Panthers see their future at the position. If they’re seriously pursuing a high-profile addition like Pitts, that doesn’t bode well for Sanders’ long-term outlook in Charlotte.
Of course, it’s fair to ask whether Sanders is being misused. Talent has never been the issue.
He was a dynamic weapon at Texas, and when healthy, he’s shown he can create mismatches in the NFL. But for whatever reason-scheme, chemistry, trust-he hasn’t been able to carve out a consistent role.
Bryce Young’s own inconsistency certainly hasn’t helped. The Panthers’ offense has struggled to find rhythm all year, and when your quarterback is still finding his footing, it’s tough for a young tight end to thrive. That said, rookie wideout Tetairoa McMillan has managed to make a strong impression despite the same circumstances, which only adds to the questions around Sanders.
With four games left and the postseason still within reach, it’s hard to imagine Sanders suddenly becoming a featured weapon. At this point, 2025 looks like a lost season for him. Whether that’s on the player or the organization is up for debate-but the bottom line is that Sanders’ role in Carolina has never been more uncertain.
The door isn’t closed yet. He’s still just 22, still under contract, and still dripping with upside. But if something doesn’t change soon, Ja'Tavion Sanders could go from breakout candidate to trade candidate in a hurry.
We’ll see if 2026 brings a fresh start-or a new team entirely.