An NFL writer has made a bold prediction for the Carolina Panthers' running back position in the 2026 season.
Fresh off an NFC South title a year ago, the Carolina Panthers are hoping to build on that momentum going into 2026. The team has officially opened up training camp but they do so with some big questions.
Most of those are on the offensive side of the football with the biggest being the play of quarterback Bryce Young. However, there are some questions about the backfield as well.
In 2025, Rico Dowdle enjoyed a breakout season as he led the charge in the rushing attack along with Chuba Hubbard. But he's now in Pittsburgh and the Panthers are hoping that Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks can have big seasons.
Hubbard will enter camp as the top running back on the depth chart but it's no guarantee he begins Week 1 as the starter. On NFL analyst believes that there will be a significant change in the Panthers' backfield for 2026.
Alex Kay of Bleacher Report believes that Brooks will overtake Hubbard at some point this season and the top back in the Panthers' backfield:
Brooks' expected emergence was reportedly a key factor in Carolina's decision to let Dowdle walk, with the NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe revealing team brass believes Brooks is "ready to be the guy" to lead the backfield. A healthy, motivated Brooks will cement himself into the RB1 role and remain there barring another injury.
When Carolina took Brooks out of Texas in the draft a few years back, they envisioned him being their lead back. But a devastating injury in his rookie year caused him to have a setback. He missed all of last season, which gave Dowdle and Hubbard the chance to shine and earn some key reps.
It's still early in training camp and the Panthers are working through things in terms of the depth chart and what they want their offense to look like. Even if Brooks takes over the lead back role in the offense, it doesn't mean there won't be a role with Hubbard.
Having two running backs who can both produce is never a bad thing. And it will help take the pressure off of Bryce Young a little bit as well.
