As the Carolina Panthers begin to prepare for the 2026 NFL season, fans are excited to see how some of the newest additions to the team, along with multiple key veterans, perform during the upcoming training camp period.

One name that has flown under the radar this offseason is former 2024 second-round pick Jonathon Brooks, who was once regarded as one of the best running backs in his draft class. Morgan and the front office used substantial draft capital on Brooks, but after suffering multiple injuries throughout his career, the Panthers have yet to see any return on their investment.

Now, with the 22-year-old back set to return in 2026, there’s a good chance that Brooks could not only be in line for a key role on offense this season but could eventually be a fierce competitor for the top running back spot with veteran Chuba Hubbard.

Prior to becoming a second-round pick by Carolina in 2024, Brooks was a highly-touted running back at the college level for the Texas Longhorns. Throughout his three years with the program, the versatile offensive weapon recorded 1,479 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, with a majority of his production coming during his final season with the Longhorns. In addition to his strong efforts on the ground, Brooks also finished with 335 receiving yards and three touchdowns through the air, making him a perfect do-it-all back for the NFL.

However, after missing a significant portion of his rookie season due to a season-ending injury he suffered in 2023, Brooks would eventually return to the field to once again find himself back on the IR after three games. The setback led to head coach Dave Canales leaving him out of the offensive attack in 2025 in hopes that the extra recovery time could benefit him.

Fast forward to the 2026 offseason, and Brooks is back to practicing for the Panthers and could easily find a role on offense. During Canales’ time as the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, his success with running back Rachaad White explained why Carolina decided to use a second-round pick on Brooks. Both rusher excel in both the pass and run game, and their versatility in both aspects allows Canales to keep them on the field in any situation.

With veteran Rico Dowdle signing elsewhere this offseason, it’s clear that the Panthers must rely on Brooks this season. But with Hubbard’s steady decline in production, a fully healthy Brooks could be a much better fit for Carolina’s offense in 2026.

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