Carolina Panthers' head coach Dave Canales gave a promising update on the team's former 2024 second-round pick.
As the Carolina Panthers slowly begin to shift their focus towards the offseason, head coach Dave Canales was able to provide some exciting news regarding former 2024 second-round pick, Jonathon Brooks.
When discussing Brooks and what the team’s approach to his recovery process was this year, Canales claimed that the organization did not want to play him in 2025 to give the talented rusher “the best chance to compete” in 2026.
"We had a plan not to put him out there this year, after a second ACL injury, and to make sure that we give him the best chance to compete and affect our roster," Canales stated on the Panther Talk podcast. "He's flying around, he's big, he's beautiful-looking.
Brooks, after an incredible career with the Texas Longhorns, was widely viewed as one of the top running backs in the 2024 NFL Draft despite suffering an ACL tear in his final college season. This, however, did not stop general manager Dan Morgan from taking Brooks in the second round.
With the young halfback joining the mix in Carolina, he would end up playing in three games for the Panthers during his rookie season, tallying nine carries for 22 yards, along with three catches for 23 yards. Unfortunately, Brooks’ rookie campaign was cut short after suffering another ACL tear to the same knee.
While fans were hoping to see him potentially come back for the back half of the 2025 season, the franchise made it clear that Brooks will not be rushed back by putting him on the PUP list.
In addition to revealing last year’s plan for the highly-touted running back, Canales also said that Brooks will “have a chance to compete to start” for the Panthers next season.
"Just the way that he's progressed and went about his work,” Canales said. “Denny [Kellington] and the staff have done an incredible job of bringing him back on, the strength staff as well. He's one of the more powerful, explosive athletes that we have—and he's gonna have an opportunity to compete to start for this team, just like a lot of other guys."
Depending on how well the former Texas Longhorn does in his recovery process this offseason, Brooks could be set to take over a key role on offense in 2026. Veteran running back Rico Dowdle will hit the free agency market, which could pave the way for Brooks to take over his role next season.