Carolina Panthers sign running back Chuba Hubbard to $33.2M extension

Nov. 7 (UPI) -- The Carolina Panthers signed running back Chuba Hubbard to a four-year contract extension worth $33.2 million, a league source told UPI on Thursday.

Hubbard, who was to hit free agency this off-season, is now signed through 2028. The four-year veteran joined the Panthers as a fourth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Hubbard, who totaled a career-high 1,135 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns last season, logged 773 yards from scrimmage and six scores through his first nine games this season. His 665 rushing yards in 2024 trail only Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Jordan Mason.

The former Oklahoma State star eclipsed 90 yards from scrimmage three times this season. He totaled a career-high 169 yards from scrimmage in the Panthers' Week 3 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Hubbard gained 72 yards and score twice on 15 carries in the Panthers' Week 9 win over the New Orleans Saints.

By signing Hubbard, the Panthers indicated plans to pair him with rookie Jonathan Brooks for the foreseeable future. Brooks joined the Panthers in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but missed the first nine games of the season because of a torn ACL he sustained during his final season at Texas.

Miles Sanders and Raheem Blackshear are the other running backs on the Panthers roster. The Panthers signed Sanders to a four-year, $25 million pact in 2023.

The Panthers (2-7) will face the New York Giants at 9:30 a.m. EST Sunday at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.