Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard has been named a team captain ahead of the 2026 season.
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard has been named a team captain for the first time in his career.
Hubbard will be a key piece out of the backfield for the Panthers after Rico Dowdle left for the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency. Carolina will now lean on Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks at running back.
Hubbard was solid in the 2025 season as the second running back, as he rushed for 511 yards and a touchdown on 134 carries while hauling in 30 receptions for 223 yards and three touchdowns.
The 27-year-old will likely put up bigger numbers in a larger role in the offense in 2026. Hubbard had the best season of his career in 2024, rushing for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns on 250 carries, along with catching 43 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown.
He is entering his sixth season in the league and has been with Carolina throughout his career, developing as a player and a leader. As a captain, he will look to be a leader in the locker room and on the field while also being the lead rusher for the Panthers.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectCarolina made it to the playoffs for the first time in 2025 since Cam Newton was their starting quarterback. The Panthers won the NFC South with an 8-9 record and narrowly fell to the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card Game.
With another year of development with the other offensive pieces of Bryce Young and Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina will look to win the division for a second straight season.
Young had a career year in 2025, completing 63.6 percent of his passes for 3,011 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while adding 216 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. He formed a strong connection with McMillan, who won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
McMillan played at a high level, as he had 70 receptions for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns. He should develop even more in his second season in the league with another year in the system.
Although it will be a challenge for the Panthers to repeat as NFC South Champions, they have captains like Hubbard to lean on for another playoff push.
