Dumbfounding Panthers Extension Creates Nightmare Scenario for Rookie

Though the Carolina Panthers are on the heels of a rousing Week 9 win, the reality is they're still just 2-7 on the year and lacking clear direction. A series of bad decisions over the years have put Carolina in this situation, as the franchise seems hellbent on getting in its own way.

Unfortunately, that trend appears to have continued on Thursday, as news broke of a truly shocking extension handed out to Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard.

Carolina has agreed on a four-year, $33.2 million deal with its top veteran RB that could reach up to $37.2 million. Additionally, Hubbard was given $15 million in new guaranteed money, a significant investment at a position many around the league refuse to pay top dollar for.

There's already an argument to be made against paying Hubbard just solely based on his play. He's never rushed for 1,000 yards on the ground, and the 2024 campaign likely will be his third with fewer than 200 yards through the air. So he's not a prolific runner like Derrick Henry, nor a major dual threat like Saquon Barkley, which are traits necessary to be worth investing in.

But the biggest issue with extending Hubbard is the immediate impact it has on rookie and fellow running back Jonathon Brooks.

Carolina clearly believes in the Texas product's talent, as it used the No. 46 overall selection in April's draft to secure him. This was all while coming off of a torn ACL, which didn't seem to deter the Panthers.

Yet, paying a not-insignificant amount of money to a veteran RB directly impacts Brooks, both now and over the long haul. Moving forward, Carolina will feel like it has to reap the rewards from its investment, which means getting Hubbard enough touches to make his contract feel worthwhile.

That, then, caps Brooks' potential impact in this offense if he's not the clear workhorse, which is exactly what drafting a running back in the second round indicates.

Even though Brooks is only half a season into his career, the Panthers are already going about his development all wrong. They've sent a message, even if involuntarily, that they don't know if Brooks is capable of being an unquestioned RB1. And now he'll also have to look over his shoulder every time he makes a mistake, when a young player should be allowed to learn from those moments.

A smart organization would try to get the most it can out of a talented rookie who's playing on a cheaper contract, which allows other, more pressing areas of the roster to be addressed with cap space instead. But Carolina lackluster decision-makers have once again made things more difficult than they need to be.

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