Chuba Hubbard shows elite mentality after Carolina Panthers extension

by Junna Base November 10, 2024

Chuba Hubbard continued his rise as a central part of the Carolina Panthers’ offensive strategy in 2024. After a sensational start to the season, he now has the chance to stay much longer.

The Powers That Be gave Hubbard a four-year contract extension with $15 million in new guaranteed money. This was a bit surprising considering they went No. 46 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft for Jonathon Brooks, but having more than one productive running back will only help head coach Dave Canales implement his tenacious ground game in the long run.

This is also an example of Dan Morgan wanting to reward those selected by the organization who prove their worth. Hubbard struggled hard to establish himself after a disappointing rookie season. He worked hard, set the tone, took advantage of every opportunity and became a respected leader in the locker room.

There has been a lot of talk about paying running backs. It’s a contentious issue throughout the league for those who aren’t elite. There are no guarantees, but the upside that Hubbard has shown over the last three years makes this a wise investment.

Judging by the player’s attitude towards maintaining financial security, complacency will not be a problem.

If anything, Hubbard’s focus has only increased.

The former fourth-round pick from Oklahoma State expressed his gratitude while speaking to the media after signing the contract. Hubbard also made no secret of his intentions to help change the franchise culture while also finishing his career in Carolina.

“I mean, it definitely takes a little bit of the burden off of me. I’ve always wanted to spend my life taking care of my family, my mother, my sister and everyone in a good place and doing that and knowing that your hard work is paying off definitely takes some of the stress away. But at the end of the day, I want to be a Panther for life, and I want to change the culture here and win games. So there is still a lot to do.”

– Chuba Hubbard via Panthers.com

This is exactly the kind of attitude that elevated Hubbard from a proverbial afterthought to someone worthy of a long-term contract.

Hubbard is a rags-to-riches story that every fan can get behind. The Canada native never relented despite being written off after being given duties he wasn’t ready for due to Christian McCaffrey’s injury in 2021. If that relentless mentality spreads to other players, the Panthers won’t be stuck in the doldrums for much longer.

This expansion also gives the player a sense of security. Hubbard is more focused than most, so persistent distractions were unlikely to affect his performance. But this towering show of confidence from the decision-makers will only make him strive even harder for greatness.

It’s also an incentive for others like Brady Christensen and Tommy Tremble – others from the class of 2021. If you perform well, solidify your status, the reward will arrive.

This is the culture Morgan is building. And it’s a breath of fresh air.