The Carolina Panthers enter the 2026 season with a running back room that blends proven durability with tantalizing upside. After a 2025 campaign that saw veteran Chuba Hubbard lose his starting spot, the team is now navigating a fresh competition that could define its offensive identity.
A Tale of Two backs
Hubbard, who has been the franchise’s primary rusher for most of the past three seasons, remains the favorite to lead the backfield at the start of 2026. His strength on third‑down situations, both as a blocker and a receiver, gives him a clear niche, even as the team looks to diversify its rushing attack.
Opposite him, Jonathon Brooks returns from a second torn ACL — one suffered in college — and brings a burst of explosiveness that could shift the balance of power. Though his injury history raises concerns, Brooks has shown flashes of the playmaking ability that made him a coveted prospect, including a 77.0 Pro Football Focus pass‑blocking grade in 2023.
The departure of Rico Dowdle, who captured the starting role in 2025 before exiting in free agency, leaves a void that both Hubbard and Brooks are eager to fill. Their skill sets contrast sharply: Hubbard’s grinding style complements a power‑run approach, while Brooks offers a more dynamic, change‑of‑pace threat.
Coaches are expected to split touches fairly evenly, a plan that has already attracted attention from fantasy football analysts who recommend drafting both backs if possible. The split reflects a broader strategy to lean into a run‑heavy offense reminiscent of the 2025 scheme, giving the Panthers a balanced attack that can keep defenses guessing.
Beyond raw carries, both players must prove their versatility. Hubbard’s blocking and receiving work has been criticized as underwhelming in recent seasons, while Brooks will need to sharpen his pass‑protection and route‑running to earn a larger share of snaps early in the year.
If Brooks can stay healthy and translate his college production — highlighted by 25 receptions in his final season at Texas — into the NFL, his upside could see him eclipse Hubbard’s workload despite the veteran’s experience. The competition adds a compelling narrative to the Panthers’ 2026 campaign, one that fans and fantasy enthusiasts will watch closely.