5 Carolina Panthers players who need a monster offseason in 2022
By Dean Jones
Chuba Hubbard – Carolina Panthers RB
Christian McCaffrey failing to stay on the field consistently thrust Chuba Hubbard into the limelight probably sooner than the Carolina Panthers had hoped. The fourth-round pick was forced to carry a significant amount of the load thanks to the All-Pro turning out just seven times, which came with some flashes but also mistakes that need eradicating moving forward.
One of the big questions surrounding Hubbard coming out of Oklahoma State was his inability to gain yards after contact. Something that rang true throughout his first season in a professional environment and there was also a real lack of pass-catching prowess that needs significant work.
Even if McCaffrey suffers no more misfortune on the health front, the Panthers have to come up with a better plan. They were far too reliant on the Stanford product and had almost no contingency plan without him in the lineup.
That simply has to change. And if Hubbard can develop problem areas of his game, then a key role could be in the offing next time around.
There is a chance Carolina brings in another running back and Ameer Abdullah showed enough to be extended. But another year in the system could give Hubbard an advantage over the rest in pursuit of becoming McCaffrey’s primary backup in 2022.