Coming into the 2025 NFL regular season, the Carolina Panthers’ running back room was viewed as a clear strength of the team. The organization signed Chuba Hubbard to a four-year, $33.2 million contract extension in November 2024, keeping him with the team through the 2028 season. At the time, it made Hubbard one of the top-10 paid players at the position.
In the offseason, the Panthers then signed former Dallas Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle to a one-year, $2.75 million contract. The move likely had to do with 2024 second-round pick RB Jonathon Brooks being placed on injured reserve for the entire upcoming season after tearing his ACL for the second time in as many years.
Everybody enjoys a sundae with toppings, so as the cherry on top, Carolina drafted RB Trevor Etienne out of Georgia in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Should the Carolina Panthers Trade One of Their Running Backs?
It’s not going to be Etienne or Brooks. Let’s make that short and straightforward. Would the Panthers consider trading Hubbard or Dowdle?
Hubbard was awarded his recent contract extension in a season that saw him finish in the top 5 in rushing yards across the league. A former fourth-round pick by the Panthers, he’s embodied the Keep Pounding mantra with his dedicated work ethic and desire to be great.
Head coach Dave Canales echoed that sentiment in his Monday presser, saying, “Chuba has meant a lot to this organization, certainly to the identity we want to build our team on. Wanted to give Chuba an opportunity to go out there and continue to impact our team in a positive way.” The downhill runner has dealt with an ankle injury this season that caused him to miss two games and opened the door for Dowdle.
Speaking of Dowdle, the South Carolina native and former Gamecock, took complete advantage of those two missed contests from Hubbard, amassing 473 total yards and 2 TD in those games. His 605 rushing yards are the fifth-most in the NFL this season. His Rush EPA (+11.6) is the third-best amongst all RBs.
Dowdle’s PFSN RBi of 89.0 is the third-highest grade (Hubbard’s RBi of 68.1 lands him at No. 38). He sports an explosive rush rate of 12.26%, while Hubbard comes in at just 1.27%.
But does it benefit the Panthers more to trade either of them? I just don’t see it. Dowdle’s contract expires after the season, and if he continues his production and efficiency, he’s due to garner more significant money in free agency. Hubbard, meanwhile, is under contract and becomes a more cap-friendly cut in 2027Â if they need an exit strategy.
The long-term plan for Carolina has always seemed to include Jonathon Brooks as a big piece. The Panthers could be wise to stay the course. The team is currently 4-4, and they should want to play this thing out.
Dowdle has earned a larger role in the offense and should be afforded that until he proves otherwise. Hubbard can keep some tread on the tires, continue to be the leader in the locker room, and be tabbed as an integral part of the future offense with Brooks and Etienne locked in with cost-controlled contracts.
