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General manager Dan Morgan of the Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers exceeded expectations in 2025, making the playoffs, winning the NFC South, and falling just short of advancing in the playoffs. Now comes the part where the franchise looks to sustain its success. For the team to do this, they will need to make improvements through the draft and free agency. Tough decisions will have to be made, particularly at the running back position.
The Panthers had a talented backfield this season, led by Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle, but one running back the team had high hopes for didn’t see a down in 2025.
Jonathan Brooks flashed his potential, but bad injury luck has some speculating about his future with the Panthers.
Bad Luck
Jonathon Brooks is still only 22 years old, but the former 2024 second pick has dealt with more adversity than some people deal with in a career. After sitting behind Bijan Robinson for two years, Brooks finally got his opportunity to showcase his ability. In the 2023 season for the Texas Longhorns, Brooks had 1,139 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns on the season.
Brooks was a top rusher in the nation when he tore his ACL in November 2023. It wasn’t until Week 13 in 2024 that Brooks played in another football game. Unfortunately, his return to the field would be short-lived.
In just his second game back from injury, Brooks re-tore his ACL in the same knee. For almost two whole years, Brooks has spent rehabbing his knee, but now, after all of the trauma and pain, he’s returning to his old self. Brooks discussed this with Joseph Person of The Athletic back in December.
“I feel pretty much almost 100 percent again, Brooks said. “From the moment it happened, I knew that God had a plan. I knew that it was all gonna be OK and I was gonna be right back to where I was.”
The question now becomes what role Brooks will have when he returns, and whether it will be with the Panthers.
Change of Scenery
Jonathon Brooks will finally have a full offseason at 100% to get ready for the season, and he’ll need to be the competition in the Panthers’ running back room.
Chuba Hubbard projects to lead back next season. Despite losing somne playing time to Rico Dowdle, who had over 1,000 yards rushing, Hubbard is still at the top of the Panthers depth chart. He is set to earn $5.6 million this upcoming season. Dowdle is a free agent and could be looking for an expanded role elsewhere.
Brooks will likely be competing with Trevor Etienne, the fourth-round pick out of Georgia last season. Brooks being in a crowded running backs room is why Aaron Schatz of ESPN, wrote in his February 18 article, that Brooks could benefit from a change of scenery.
“Now, Brooks has to face the question of whether there is room for him in the Carolina backfield,” Schatz wrote. “Rico Dowdle is a free agent. But even if Dowdle doesn’t re-sign, the Panthers still have Chuba Hubbard and Trevor Etienne. Brooks might need to go elsewhere to finally get his NFL shot.”
Brooks had gone through hell and back to get back onto the football field, and whether itis with the Panthers or elsewhere, he’s determined to prove that he is more than his injuries and can live up to his potential.
Chad Gelfand Chad Gelfand is a journalist covering the NFL with focus on the Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, and Carolina Panthers for Heavy.com. Gelfand has over six years of writing experience.
Gelfand previously covered the Philadelphia Eagles for Last Word On Sports. He also has experience writing in the worlds of entertainment and wrestling.
Gelfand was an Entertainment writer for the List.com, and a contributor for Fansided’s wrestling website Daily DDT and The Wrestling Estate. Gelfand has also appeared multiple times as a guest on POST Wrestling’s “Bushby and Thompson’s Wrestling Adventure” podcast. More about Chad Gelfand
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