The backfield in Charlotte has been a bit of a whirlwind lately. Honestly, if you blinked during the 2025 season, you might have missed the entire transition from a veteran-led room to whatever this new, high-speed experiment is. We’re talking about a group that went from "figuring it out" to essentially carrying the offense when Bryce Young needed a breather.
For anyone following running backs for carolina, the narrative has shifted away from the shadow of Christian McCaffrey. It's not about finding a superstar replacement anymore. It’s about a rotation.
The Chuba Hubbard Factor
Chuba Hubbard is basically the heart of this team right now. He’s the guy who stayed when everyone else was being traded or released. Last year, the Panthers rewarded that loyalty with a four-year, $33.2 million extension. That’s roughly $8.3 million a year, which tells you everything you need to know about how Dave Canales feels about him.
Hubbard isn't necessarily a "home run" hitter who’s going to break off an 80-yarder every week, but he’s remarkably consistent. In 2025, he was hovering around that 5.0 yards per carry mark mid-season. He’s the "dirty work" back. He picks up the blitz, he gains three yards when the blocking breaks down, and he doesn’t fumble. You've seen it—he just grinds.
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What Really Happened with Rico Dowdle
This was the surprise of the year. Rico Dowdle joined the squad and actually out-rushed the "starter" for a significant chunk of 2025. He ended the season with 1,076 yards on 236 carries. Think about that for a second. A guy who was largely a depth piece in Dallas became a 1,000-yard rusher in Carolina.
But here’s the kicker: Dowdle is currently a free agent as we head into the 2026 offseason. There’s a lot of chatter about him wanting a primary role elsewhere. He proved he could handle a heavy workload, but with the youth movement behind him, the Panthers might not be able to justify a massive second contract for him. It’s a classic NFL dilemma. Do you pay the veteran who just produced, or do you hand the keys to the kids?
The Jonathon Brooks Waiting Game
We have to talk about Jonathon Brooks. The Panthers spent a second-round pick on him for a reason. His rookie year was basically a "redshirt" season because of that ACL recovery, and even when he got on the field late in 2025, the team was incredibly cautious.
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Brooks is the high-ceiling play. He has the vision that Hubbard lacks and the contact balance that made him a star at Texas. If he’s 100% healthy by the 2026 training camp, the dynamic of running backs for carolina changes instantly. You’re looking at a potential 1A/1B situation where Brooks takes the explosive carries and Hubbard handles the short-yardage and pass-blocking duties.
The New Faces in the Room
It isn't just a two-man show. The depth chart is getting crowded.
- Trevor Etienne: The rookie out of Georgia has already shown some flashes. He's shifty. He's been used a lot in the return game, but don't be surprised if he carves out a "Sproles-type" role in this offense.
- Emani Bailey: He’s been the preseason darling who actually stuck around. He’s got a low center of gravity and runs much harder than his size suggests.
- Miles Sanders (The Departure): Let’s be real, the Sanders era was a disappointment. The team released him in March 2025, and he landed with the Cowboys. It cleared about $7 million in cap space, which was desperately needed.
Why This Ground Game Still Matters
In 2025, the Panthers finished as a top-20 rushing offense for the first time in what feels like forever. They weren't elite, but they were efficient. They ranked 16th in Rushing DVOA, which is a massive jump from where they were two years ago.
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The strategy is clear: run the ball to protect the quarterback. By keeping the defense honest, it opens up those intermediate passing lanes for Xavier Legette and the tight ends. If the running backs can’t stay healthy or productive, this whole offensive system collapses.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're tracking this team over the next few months, watch the Rico Dowdle situation closely. If he walks in free agency, it signals a massive vote of confidence in Jonathon Brooks and Trevor Etienne.
Keep an eye on the training camp reports regarding Brooks' lateral movement. That's the final piece of his recovery. If he’s cutting without hesitation by August, he’s the RB1 in waiting. For fantasy players or die-hard fans, the value here is in the volume—Canales wants to run the ball 25-30 times a game, regardless of who is back there. This isn't a "pass-first" team anymore. It’s a "run-to-set-up-the-pass" team, and that makes these roster spots some of the most important on the team.