4 underpaid Carolina Panthers players heading into 2023 offseason

Chuba Hubbard – Carolina Panthers RB

• 2023 cap hit – $1.11 million

Considering how bleak things looked for Chuba Hubbard this time last year, it paints a completely different picture heading into the 2023 off-season. The running back made the most of increased opportunities after the Carolina Panthers traded Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers, demonstrating impressive growth in all phases of play to restore hope when all seemed lost.

Hubbard was thrown into the fire too early as a rookie, which threatened his long-term career prospects along the way. However, the outlook is bright right now given how well the former fourth-round pick performed working in tandem with D’Onta Foreman within Steve Wilks and Ben McAdoo’s run-heavy scheme.

The Oklahoma State product finished with 466 rushing yards and two touchdowns from 95 carries. More importantly, his pass-blocking consistency increased and the player’s catch success rate surged to 82.4 percent – which was up from 67.6% in 2021.

Regardless of whether Formean is extended or another option comes into the fold, Hubbard’s earned a role next season. And with a salary-cap hit of $1.11 million, there’s a good chance his production far outweighs what it’s going to cost Carolina.

Whether Hubbard can become a true No. 1 running back remains to be seen. But after the strides made last time around, he’ll be a solid complimentary option at the very worst.