The Carolina Panthers have a big weakness moving forward.
NFL analyst Mike Clay of ESPN believes the Carolina Panthers' biggest weakness is the running back slot.
"Chuba Hubbard returns after a rough 2025 season in which he battled injuries and ineffectiveness while losing lead back duties to Rico Dowdle," Clay wrote. "With Dowdle gone, 2024 second-rounder Jonathon Brooks (one appearance in two seasons due to a pair of torn ACLs) will battle for work and provide youth and potential, as does 2025 fourth-round pick Trevor Etienne. There's hope that this group can be solid, but its unproven nature makes it an obvious concern area."
The Panthers need to have a strong running game next season because their passing game probably won't be explosive.
Hubbard had 511 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown last season. Those numbers must be better in 2026 for Carolina to make the playoffs again.
Brooks has only played in three NFL games. The Panthers took Brooks in the second round of the 2024 draft after he tore his right ACL during his final season at Texas. He made his debut in the middle of his rookie season in 2024 and tore the same ACL again in his third NFL game.
Panthers OC Brad Idzik has liked what he has seen from Brooks thus far. As you can expect, Brooks is very motivated to stay healthy and play at a high level in 2026.
"He looked great out there yesterday," Idzik said on May 27. "He's attacking and everything he does, and then there'll just be continued dialogue with him of saying, 'Hey, here's what we need out of you.' Let us know too if there are other ways to feature your skill set, because I love the two-way street from player to coach, from coach to player, to make sure that they're communicating with us. You guys have ownership in this offense, too. I want to make sure we're highlighting everything that you do."
Hubbard and Etienne are back with the Panthers from last season and Carolina signed AJ Dillon as a free agent. How Brooks will fit into that backfield mix will be one of the things to watch in training camp and preseason.
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