For years, the narrative surrounding the Carolina Panthers backfield was basically a revolving door of "who’s next?" Most fans figured Chuba Hubbard was just a placeholder. A bridge. The guy you use until the real superstar arrives. But if you look at how things actually shook out in 2024 and 2025, it's clear that Hubbard isn't just some temporary fix. He’s the guy who forced the front office to open their checkbook.
Most people thought the Jonathon Brooks era would begin the second the rookie was healthy. Then Rico Dowdle showed up and made things interesting. But through injuries, depth chart battles, and a massive contract extension, Hubbard has remained the heartbeat of this offense.
The Contract That Changed Everything
Honestly, the turning point wasn't a specific run or a touchdown. It was November 7, 2024. That was the day Dan Morgan and the Panthers' front office decided to stop looking for Hubbard's replacement and actually reward him. They handed him a four-year, $33.2 million extension.
It wasn't just a "thank you" for a few good games. It was a statement. With $15 million in new fully guaranteed money, Carolina signaled that they viewed Hubbard as a top-15 back in this league. At the time, his $8.3 million annual average put him ahead of guys like D’Andre Swift and even the legendary Derrick Henry in terms of yearly value.
You don't pay that kind of money to a guy you're planning to bench.
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Why 2025 Was Such a Rollercoaster
If 2024 was the breakout—where he notched 1,195 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns—then 2025 was the year of resilience. Football is rarely a straight line up. Hubbard started the year as the unquestioned "one," but a calf injury in Week 4 changed the math.
While Hubbard was sidelined for two games, Rico Dowdle went on an absolute tear. He put up nearly 400 yards in a blink. Suddenly, social media was buzzing. People were calling for Dowdle to take the job permanently. For a few weeks, it actually happened. Hubbard was relegated to a backup role, finishing the season with "only" 511 rushing yards and one touchdown.
But look closer at the late-season tape.
In a massive upset against the Los Angeles Rams in December 2025, Hubbard didn't look like a backup. He looked like the $33 million man. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry on 17 attempts and took a screen pass 35 yards for a score. He out-produced Dowdle when it mattered most. It sorta proved that while Dowdle has the flash, Hubbard has the trust of the coaching staff when the game is on the line.
The "Canada's Cowboy" Running Style
What makes Hubbard actually work? It isn't just speed, though he has plenty of it—he was a track star in Canada, after all. It’s the way he’s evolved his physicality.
When he first came out of Oklahoma State, where he led the FBS with 2,094 yards in 2019, the knock on him was his "play strength." Critics said he couldn't break tackles at the NFL level. They were wrong. By 2024, he was ranked 11th in the league in missed tackles forced.
He runs with a low center of gravity. He’s 6'1" and about 210 pounds, but he hits the hole with the violence of a much bigger back. He’s also become a master of "hidden yards." These aren't the 50-yard sprints you see on RedZone. It’s the 2nd-and-8 that he turns into 3rd-and-2 by lowering his shoulder and churning his legs.
The Jonathon Brooks Factor
We have to talk about the elephant in the room: Jonathon Brooks. The Panthers spent a second-round pick on him in 2024. He was supposed to be the "Chosen One." But luck hasn't been on his side.
- Injury 1: ACL tear in college (Texas).
- Injury 2: Heartbreaking re-tear in December 2024 just as he was getting started.
Because of this, Hubbard has had to carry a much heavier load than the team probably intended. Heading into 2026, the backfield is crowded. You’ve got Hubbard, the highly-paid veteran. You’ve got Brooks, the high-upside youngster finally getting healthy. And you've got Trevor Etienne as a long-term piece.
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Most experts still favor Hubbard for the bulk of the early-down work. Why? Because he’s the most reliable pass protector of the bunch. If you can’t block for Bryce Young, you aren't staying on the field.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Hubbard is just a "volume" back—someone who only gets stats because he gets the ball a lot. NextGenStats actually debunked this, ranking him as one of the five most efficient backs in the league during his 2024 peak.
He also became a legitimate leader. In the summer of 2025, reporters noted Hubbard forcing the entire offense to run "gassers" (sprints) because he wasn't happy with the tempo of practice. That’s not "placeholder" behavior. That’s "franchise cornerstone" behavior.
What You Should Watch For in 2026
If you’re a fan or a fantasy manager, here’s the reality for the upcoming season. Hubbard is going to be the "stabilizer." While the Panthers will definitely want to see what they have in Jonathon Brooks, Hubbard’s contract and his performance in high-leverage situations (like the Rams game) suggest he’s not going anywhere.
Expect a committee, but expect Hubbard to be the guy in the red zone. In 2024, he was sixth in the NFL in carries inside the five-yard line. He’s the hammer.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
- Monitor the Off-Season Health: Hubbard’s late-season surge in 2025 proved he’s past the calf issues, but keep an eye on his workload in the preseason.
- Red Zone Value: If you’re tracking stats, Hubbard’s value is tied to goal-line touches. He remains the preferred choice over the smaller, shiftier backs in tight spaces.
- The Dowdle Departure: With Rico Dowdle hitting free agency after a 1,000-yard season, Hubbard's path to 200+ carries is much clearer if Carolina lets Dowdle walk.
- Passing Down Evolution: Hubbard’s receiving floor is higher than people think. He caught a career-high 43 passes in 2024, and his 35-yard TD catch in late 2025 shows he's still a threat in space.
Hubbard has spent his entire career being "the other guy." He was the guy after McCaffrey. He was the guy before Brooks. But after five years in Carolina, he’s finally just the guy.