Since Chuba Hubbard joined the Panthers, it seems the team has been looking for a better option at running back. However, the more he plays, the more he shows he can be a valuable, all-around back.
Hubbard, who is from Canada, has been one of the best running backs this season, even though he plays for one of the league’s weaker teams. He has averaged over 100 rushing yards per game in the last four weeks and more than 6 yards per carry in the last five games.
For a team that often has to give up on the run game when they fall behind—Carolina has allowed the most points in the league with 203—that’s impressive.
Hubbard’s 485 rushing yards rank third in the NFL, behind Derrick Henry from Baltimore and Jordan Mason from San Francisco. His pass blocking has gotten better, as has his ability to catch passes. He has caught 22 of the 24 passes thrown to him this season, gaining 93 yards and scoring a touchdown. “I pride myself on being a complete back,” Hubbard said.
At 25 years old, Hubbard is driven by the need to support his family, his passion for the game, and the goal of becoming one of the best running backs in NFL history. Despite facing challenges, Hubbard keeps pushing through.
When he was drafted in the fourth round in 2021, Christian McCaffrey was the main starter for Carolina. Hubbard showed his potential when McCaffrey was injured, rushing for 612 yards and five touchdowns in 10 starts.
The next year, McCaffrey was traded to San Francisco after seven games, but the Panthers chose D’Onta Foreman as their main running back, putting Hubbard back in a backup role.
Foreman left the Panthers after the next offseason through free agency, but instead of giving the starting job to Hubbard, the Panthers signed Miles Sanders to a four-year, $24.5 million contract. This was the biggest multiyear deal for a free agent running back that offseason, and former coach Frank Reich quickly called him the team’s “every-down back.”
However, Sanders didn’t hold the starting position for long
Hubbard took over as the starter six games into the 2023 season and rushed for a career-high 902 yards and five touchdowns. He has kept the starting job since then, but there are still questions about how long that will last.
This year, the Panthers drafted Jonathan Brooks in the second round, planning for him to become their main running back once he recovered from a torn ACL.
Brooks practiced for the first time on Wednesday but mentioned that he still needs to gain confidence in his knee before he can play in games.
“Like my doctor said, my knee is healed. It’s just the mental part of it now where you have to tell yourself it’s healed and just go play fast,” Brooks said.
Coach Dave Canales has not committed to what role Brooks will have once he is ready to play.
Considering Hubbard’s past performance and his 5.6 yards per carry average, it’s clear he won’t give up the starting job easily.
One thing working in Hubbard’s favor is that he seems to have impressed Canales. The first-year coach appreciates his quick and decisive running style, which he thinks fits well with his offensive plan.
“He’s not afraid of the dirty 2- and 3-yard run, where you just kind of have to cram it up in there,” Canales said. “And then later on in the game, they start popping into 8s and 12s, and here comes a 25. Just the discipline and his willingness to really commit to the system.”
Hubbard said, “I feel like the position gets overshadowed and people feel like anyone can do it. But to really know and understand certain runs, gaps, schemes, zones and power and all of these different things it takes patience.”
Canales views Brooks as more of a “home run threat” when he has the ball, so the rookie will get his opportunity eventually.
For now, Hubbard is still the starting running back for Carolina as they head into Week 7, where he will play against the Washington Commanders and six-time All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner on Sunday.
Wagner mentioned that stopping Hubbard will be a challenge for the NFL’s 22nd-ranked run defense.
“I like the way he runs,” Wagner said. “He tries to finish runs. He sees the holes really well. He’s going to be a tough task for us.”
