The Carolina Panthers broke a prime-time narrative, winning under the lights in an impressive Sunday Night Football win over the Detroit Lions. And it doesn't happen without veteran running back Chuba Hubbard.
Much of the talk from this game has been about quarterback Bryce Young (329 yards, two touchdowns) and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (14 catches, 192 yards, two touchdowns), and rightly so. They were the stars of the show on Sunday night.
Yet Hubbard showed in this game why the 2021 fourth-round pick remains an important piece of Carolina's success this season. And why talk of his demise has been greatly exaggerated.
Chuba Hubbard continues to be the glue-guy Carolina Panthers desperately need
For the first 2.5 games of the season, the Panthers struggled to run the ball, lacking drive in their zone-blocking concepts. Yet, something clicked in the second half against the Cleveland Browns, as Hubbard got going and the offensive line hit their marks.
It remained a question going into Sunday Night Football against the Lions. It became a strength thereafter.
The sixth-year running back from Oklahoma State carried the ball 20 times for 122 rushing yards and two touchdowns, both season highs. This was Hubbard's best performance since Week 17 against the Arizona Cardinals in 2024, when he scored the walk-off touchdown.
Hubbard gets criticism for his lack of high-end explosiveness, and that's fair. There are some moments where you could point to an explosive play that would've gone for six points if it were a faster rusher.
Some believe Hubbard should've been traded and replaced with Rico Dowdle, who has 15 carries for 37 yards in only two games for the Pittsburgh Steelers this season.
Chuba Hubbarrd is more important to the Carolina Panthers than ever
Even while his critics wanted him replaced, Hubbard continues to overcome and produce well for Carolina's offense.
He is a vocal leader of the offense and the heart and soul of the team overall. When Hubbard speaks, people listen, and you always have to keep those types of glue guys around.
Hubbard plays with good vision and contact balance that allow him to produce consistently. His eyes and feet are well paired, so he can string moves to the perimeter and get to the edge. I saw that multiple times against the Lions, and all went for 20-plus yards.
The running back spot will certainly be a need for the Panthers in 2027, but for now, it's better to enjoy the continued great story that is Hubbard.
He was seen as a cut candidate in Young's rookie season, but he established himself as the top running back by midseason.
Ahead of a tough stretch of football games after the bye, Hubbard is the piece they will need to succeed in the coming weeks and months.
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