Everything’s coming up Hubbard.
Last Thursday, the Carolina Panthers and running back Chuba Hubbard agreed to terms on a four-year, $33.2 million extension. The pact has a maximum value of $37.2 million and puts the fourth-year rusher amongst the highest-paid players at his position.
Then, just a few days later, Hubbard followed up his life-changing deal with a career-best performance. He ran for 153 yards and a touchdown at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, pacing the Panthers to a 20-17 win over the New York Giants.
After that outing, Hubbard stands as the NFL’s third-leading rusher (818 yards) heading into Week 11 behind only Baltimore’s Derrick Henry (1,120) and Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley (991).
So, yeah, perhaps it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that Hubbard gets some recognition now.
And NFL.com senior news writer Kevin Patra provided exactly that this week, naming Carolina’s workhorse as one of his 10 under-the-radar players who are worthy of Pro Bowl status.
Patra writes:
Check in on pretty much any running back metric in 2024, and you’ll find Hubbard’s name nestled in among perennial Pro Bowlers. Hubbard ranks third in rush yards (818), fifth in carries (161), tied for eighth in rushing touchdowns (six), fifth in rushing success rate (56.5), and sixth in yards per game (81.8). Let’s go beyond counting stats: Among RBs with at least 100 carries this season, Hubbard ranks third in rush yards over expected (214), fourth in rush yards over expected per carry (1.4), first in percentage of runs over expected (49.4%), fifth in rush EPA (0.8), fifth in first downs (40) and tied for second in first downs over expected (seven). That enough numbers to make my point? It might be a down year again in Carolina, but Hubbard has been the engine that has gotten things at least a little revved up recently. Jonathon Brooks’ eventual return will likely eat away at some of Hubbard’s touches, but he should remain the lead back. He’s earned it.
As Patra notes, Brooks is likely to debut out of the team’s Week 11 bye. The 21-year-old rookie and second-round pick was activated to the 53-man roster ahead of this past Sunday’s victory.
But, as Patra also notes, don’t expect Hubbard to see much of a dip in responsibility when Brooks does hit the field. Chuba is the guy, and the organization has paid him like it.
