Honestly, if you looked at the Carolina Panthers' roster three years ago and tried to guess who would be the face of their offensive stability in 2026, nobody was saying Chuba Hubbard. Not a soul. We were all mourning the Christian McCaffrey era or waiting for the next "flashy" first-round pick to save the franchise. But here we are. Chuba Hubbard is the guy.
He's basically the ultimate "pro's pro," which is a boring thing to call a guy who runs with that much violence, but it fits. While everyone else was looking at the shiny new toys, Hubbard was quietly turning himself into one of the most efficient zone-runners in the league. You've probably seen the stats by now, but they don't tell the whole story of how he essentially willed himself into a four-year, $33.2 million extension in late 2024.
He just works.
The Contract Extension That Shook Fantasy Managers
When Dan Morgan and the Panthers' front office inked that deal in November 2024, half the internet lost their minds. "Why pay a running back when you have Jonathon Brooks?" the critics shouted. It felt like a classic "old school" move in a "new school" league. But if you actually watch the tape from that 2024 season, you'll see why they did it. Hubbard wasn't just "taking what was there." He was creating yards.
He finished that 2024 campaign with 1,195 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. That's not a fluke. He was averaging 4.8 yards per carry on a team that, let's be real, didn't always have the most terrifying passing threat to keep defenses honest. He became the guy Dave Canales could lean on when everything else was falling apart.
Interestingly, his 2025 season looked a bit different on paper. He ended up with 511 rushing yards and a single rushing score across 15 games. Why the dip? It wasn't because he "lost a step." It was a combination of a lingering calf injury that cropped up around Week 4—the same time it hit him in 2024—and a much heavier rotation in the backfield. But even with lower volume, his value in the locker room hasn't budged.
✨ Don't miss: New England Patriots football: Why the post-Belichick rebuild is taking so long
Why the Jonathon Brooks Narrative is Kinda Wrong
People love a good rivalry. The "Chuba Hubbard vs. Jonathon Brooks" debate has fueled about a billion sports talk segments. Most fans assumed Brooks, being the high draft pick, would just stroll in and take the job.
Football is rarely that simple.
Brooks has had a rough go with injuries, including a re-tear of his ACL that sidelined him during the mid-2024 stretch. That opened the door for Hubbard to prove he wasn't just a placeholder. Even now in 2026, the Panthers use them as a "1A and 1B" situation, but when it’s 3rd and 2 and the season is on the line, Hubbard is usually the one with his hand in the dirt. He has that "old man strength" at only 26 years old.
Chuba Hubbard and the Art of the "Unflashy" Five Yards
If you watch a highlight reel of the best RBs in the league, Chuba might not be in the top five. He’s not doing backflips or breaking ankles like Saquon Barkley. But he’s incredibly disciplined. He hits the hole exactly when he’s supposed to.
- Vision: He’s developed a sixth sense for cutback lanes in the Panthers' zone-blocking scheme.
- Durability: Despite the calf issues, he’s missed very few games compared to his peers.
- Pass Protection: This is the "hidden" skill. He’s arguably the best blitz-pickup back on the roster.
Let’s look at his Week 13 game against the Rams in 2025. He only had 17 carries, but he turned them into 124 yards. That’s 7.3 yards a pop. He didn't have a 60-yard breakaway; he just kept churning out 8, 9, and 12-yard gains until the defense gapped out. It was a masterclass in efficiency.
He’s also become a sneaky threat in the passing game. In 2025, he hauled in 30 receptions for 223 yards and three scores. For a guy who was labeled a "pure runner" coming out of Oklahoma State, that’s a massive evolution. He’s not just a bruiser anymore; he’s a three-down player.
What Real Experts Are Saying About Chuba’s Ceiling
A lot of scouts will tell you that Chuba Hubbard succeeded because he mastered the "dirty work." Defensive coordinators, like Ejiro Evero, have gone on record calling him the hardest worker on the team. That matters. When your best offensive player is also the guy who stays latest in the film room, it changes the culture of the whole building.
👉 See also: Jackson State vs Vanderbilt: What Most People Get Wrong About This Matchup
However, we have to talk about the limitations.
Hubbard isn't a "home run" hitter. If he gets into the open field, he might get caught from behind by a fast safety. His "breakaway run" rate is lower than guys like Kenneth Walker or Breece Hall. But on a team like Carolina, which is still trying to find its identity, you don't necessarily need a home run hitter every play. You need someone who keeps you "on schedule." Hubbard is the king of 2nd and 5.
Actionable Insights for the Future
If you're following the Panthers or looking at this from a performance perspective, here is what you actually need to keep an eye on:
- Watch the Calf: Hubbard has had calf issues in consecutive seasons (2024 and 2025). If that becomes a chronic thing, his "burst" through the hole will suffer.
- Red Zone Usage: In 2024, he was a goal-line monster. In 2025, those touches were shared more. If Carolina wants to win more games in 2026, they likely need to go back to the "Hubbard at the 5-yard line" strategy.
- The Brooks Factor: Watch the snap counts. If Hubbard's snap share stays above 45% even with a healthy Brooks, it proves the coaching staff trusts his veteran eyes more than the rookie's raw talent.
Chuba Hubbard has gone from a fourth-round "depth piece" to a $30 million cornerstone. He’s the bridge between the old Panthers and whatever this new era becomes. He might not be the flashiest name in your jersey collection, but he’s the reason the chains keep moving.