After an upset win over the Dallas Cowboys, Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales is noncommittal to Chuba Hubbard being the starter when he returns, and that could signal a trade. According to a recent press conference, Canales couldn’t give a clear answer on whether Hubbard will be the starting for the Panthers’ ground game next week. Backup Rico Dowdle just had one of his best games against a Dallas defense, which is one of the worst, and it looks like Canales is starting him over Hubbard. Dowdle hit a pair of franchise records held by veteran Christian McCaffrey, recording 445 yards from scrimmage over the last two matchups while Hubbard was out nursing an injury during these weeks.
It’s no secret that the Panthers could head in a different direction, but the only thing stopping that from happening is his contract extension from last year. Originally selected in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the former Oklahoma State product is still an adequate running back in this league. After signing a new four-year deal last season, he put up 1,195 rushing yards, 171 receiving and 11 touchdowns, so they’re not going to give up on him. Unless there is a team out there that is interested in Hubbard and what he could do in their backfield for the postseason, he may stay with the Panthers.
For now, everything is speculation. However, it’s never a bad time to talk about trading Hubbard and betting their future on Dowdle if that’s what the Panthers want. Carolina at 3-3 might not be a postseason contender due to their rebuild stage, so here are three teams that could trade for Hubbard.
Panthers Coach Latest Comments Could Signal Chuba Hubbard Trade – 3 Suitors Emerge
Potential Destinations
Los Angeles Chargers
After losing 2025 draft pick Omarion Hampton and veteran Najee Harris, the Los Angeles Chargers are bound to make a trade for a running back soon. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh wants to win football games with a strong, efficient run, so what’s the holdup? Despite picking up a win over the Miami Dolphins, it was a closer game than expected, and the Chargers are arguably a better football team than everyone was expecting. Los Angeles has the cap space to pull off a trade for Hubbard.
Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal aren’t a strong backfield to help Herbert in the postseason if they make it. If they trade for Hubbard, it should put the Chargers’ run game back in the conversation as one of the best.
Kansas City Chiefs
Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs’ run game needs some type of revival in the backfield. Isiah Pacheco is still an adequate downhill runner, but he’s slowing down coming off a crucial injury last season. Veteran Kareem Hunt is past his prime and could be in a new uniform after the 2025 campaign. Pacheco is also in his final year. It might be safe for the Chiefs to beef up the running back unit and trade for Hubbard to give Patrick Mahomes a speedy playmaker who can turn on the jets to bring this offense back to life.
Baltimore Ravens
At 1-5, it’s hard to imagine that the Baltimore Ravens still have the mindset for a postseason appearance this year. Baltimore is hopeful that quarterback Lamar Jackson can return after their bye week, but he can’t single-handedly save this team. Even though they need some upgrades in their defense, what matters is brushing up on the ground game behind Derrick Henry.
The veteran is slowing down and needs a reliable backup to share the snaps. The Ravens don’t have much money for a Hubbard trade, but they could find a way to bring him in, as this could help Henry in the long run.
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