The running back situation....

[PanthersNCSU]

Until Brooks does something, I don't like the current situation. I love Chuba the person, but I don't think he's a lead back until he shows more than last year and gets back to 2024 form. Etienne is unproven but maybe some hope there.

All in all, we have to have a successful run game for this offense to work. I don't feel great about the current status, but RB is the one position I feel like you can churn and ride a hot hand to get by. 

[rebelrouser]

Brooks is still not at 100%. I feel like he is going to have slow start and then break out next year, which is the last year of his rookie contract and we lose him in FA.  That would be the most Panthers thing ever. 

[Bear Hands]

The way I see it, we've got Chuba another year and Brooks spelling him/hopefully not getting injured.  Maybe Brooks surprises if healthy.  He was a very highly viewed RB for a reason.  

After seeing the limited Etienne snaps, he's clearly a rotational back on the lower percentage rate. I.E. how TB uses Sean Tucker.

So, unless something happens, Hubbard is getting bulk carriers, Brooks to spell/ease in, Etienne very situational.  

If Hubbard goes down, then we're relying on Brooks/Etienne, but at that point, you grab a guy off our PS or street at that point as RB3.  Not a huge deal IMO.  It's RB.  

 

 

 

[rmoneyg35]

I think people are sleeping on Etienne. His scouting report was that he was good at everything, no holes in his game, just that he wasn’t amazing at one thing. He’s also got the DNA in him and he’s always been on teams where he’s had to share reps with other good RBs so he’s never had monster numbers but if given the reps I think he could put them up. He could be a three down back cause he can do it all. He also doesn’t have much wear and tear on his body because of sharing reps. He’s only 21 right now so he’s also still young. If we have a decent offensive line then I think he could be our answer.