Panthers and RB Chuba Hubbard agree to a four-year contract extension

Running back Chuba Hubbard has been one of the few bright spots for the Carolina Panthers this season. His efforts will be rewarded as he has agreed to a four-year contract extension, the team announced on Thursday. According to a league source, the deal is worth $33.2 million with a maximum value of $37.2 million, including $15 million guaranteed.

The 25-year-old Hubbard is averaging 5.0 yards per carry this season, totaling 665 yards (fifth in the NFL) on 133 carries and five rushing touchdowns. He also caught 26 passes for 108 yards and a touchdown. The Panthers' 2021 fourth-round pick was in the final year of his rookie contract before receiving an extension.

The former Oklahoma State star was able to serve as the No. 1 tailback all season because 2024 second-round pick Jonathon Brooks has not yet been able to play this season due to an injury that dates back to college.

Hubbard has accumulated 2,645 career rushing yards on 638 carries and 17 touchdowns. He also caught 104 balls for 686 yards and two touchdowns.

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Why the Panthers extended Hubbard

A cynic might well ask if the Panthers haven't learned their lesson when it comes to paying a running back. This is a franchise that gave Miles Sanders a four-year, $25 million deal (including $13 million guaranteed) in 2023, only to see the former Philadelphia Eagles returner clinch his starting job last season Hubbard lost and became a sideline this season. But Hubbard is a different type of runner than Sanders – more physical and downhill. Additionally, Dave Canales loves his work ethic and sees Hubbard as instrumental in establishing the type of culture Canales wants to build.

With Hubbard suspended and Sanders almost certain to be out in the offseason, the Panthers' backfield has a good balance (schematically and financially) with Hubbard and rookie Jonathon Brooks, an explosive speedback who activated on Wednesday about a year after tearing his ACL at Texas became . — Joseph Person, Panthers beat writer

About this 2021 draft class…

Panthers fans have bad memories of the Matt Rhule era. But the former coach — and his wife — deserve credit for selecting Hubbard in the fourth round against Oklahoma State. (Julie Rhule texted her husband 10 minutes before the election to encourage him to draft Hubbard.)

Hubbard was part of a huge 11-player draft class in 2021. And with that many players, there were bound to be some mistakes (WR Terrace Marshall in the second round, long snapper Thomas Fletcher in the sixth). But Rhule and former GM Scott Fitterer also had some nice hits. Cornerback Jaycee Horn is finally healthy, playing like a top-10 pick and is the next candidate to get an extension in Carolina. Brady Christensen has moved from tackle to center and back to tackle again this season without missing a beat. And TE Tommy Tremble is an effective blocker and receiver but has struggled with a back injury this year. — person

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(Photo: Matt Kelley/Getty Images)