4 Panthers players who’ll benefit most from Thomas Brown hire in 2023
By Dean Jones
Chuba Hubbard – Carolina Panthers RB
As stated previously, Thomas Brown gained a strong reputation both in college and his early NFL journey for his work as a running backs coach. Something that has contributed to his rapid rise up the coaching ranks to even get a head coach interview with the Houston Texans this offseason before they went with DeMeco Ryans.
Much like the situation with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, if Brown can thrive with the Carolina Panthers next season, then more interest during the next head coaching cycle should follow. And his appointment means nothing but good news for Chuba Hubbard entering Year 3 of his professional career.
It wasn’t the best start for Hubbard as a rookie. Prominent carries clearly came too soon for the Oklahoma State product, but his improvements in all aspects of playing the position last season were surprising and encouraging in equal measure.
Hubbard looked good working in tandem with D’Onta Foreman. Much will depend on whether the latter gets a contract extension to prevent him from leaving in free agency, but Brown and Frank Reich should seriously consider adopting this committee approach in 2023 based on their influence last season.
Duce Staley will also have an important part to play. But everything seems to be in place for Hubbard and Carolina’s other running backs to thrive during the upcoming preparation period.