Jonathon Brooks is back in the mix for Carolina, and the Panthers may finally get a look at why they spent a second-round pick on him in 2024.
After multiple injury setbacks stalled his early NFL run, the 22-year-old is healthy again and practicing with the team as the Panthers turn toward the 2026 season. That opens the door for Brooks to carve out a real offensive role, and possibly push veteran Chuba Hubbard for the top spot in the backfield.
Brooks arrived in Carolina with plenty of buzz after a strong college career at Texas. Over three seasons with the Longhorns, he piled up 1,479 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. He also added 335 receiving yards and three more scores as a receiver, giving him the kind of all-purpose profile teams love in today’s offense.
But the early NFL returns have been frustrating. Brooks missed a large chunk of his rookie year because of a season-ending injury he suffered in 2023, then landed back on injured reserve after appearing in three games. That pushed head coach Dave Canales to hold him out of the offense in 2025, with the hope that extra recovery time would help him get right.
Now the picture looks different. Brooks is back on the field, and Carolina could finally start using the skill set that made him such a coveted prospect in the first place.
There’s also a clear reason the Panthers were so interested in him to begin with. During Canales’ time as offensive coordinator with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, his work with Rachaad White showed how much he values a back who can contribute as both a runner and a receiver. Brooks fits that mold, and that versatility could keep him on the field in a variety of situations.
For Carolina, the next step is seeing whether that promise turns into production. If Brooks stays healthy, he has a path to becoming a key piece of the offense in 2026 - and maybe more.
In Other News...
Panthers May Finally Have A Real Tight End Answer For Bryce Young
The Panthers have spent years trying to patch together a tight end room that never quite gave Bryce Young the kind of reliable middle-of-the-field answer every young quarterback needs. Since 2019, no Carolina tight end has gotten to 500 receiving yards, which helps explain why the position keeps coming up whenever the roster is discussed and why potential fixes tend to draw so much attention.
A few names already sit in the mix as Carolina weighs whether to trade, shop in free agency or simply keep looking for the right fit. Michael Mayer has been floated as a more sensible trade avenue than some other options, while Darren Waller still has enough juice to make the idea interesting after flashing in Miami, including a strong showing against the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium last season. Jonnu Smith, though, has emerged as the most practical target of the group, and if Carolina is serious about stabilizing this part of the offense, the choice may come down to whether it wants upside, familiarity or the cleanest path to making the position matter again. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Suddenly Linked To A Tight End Upgrade Bryce Young Needs
The Panthers have spent the offseason trying to make the roster sturdier around Bryce Young, adding help on defense with Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd and giving the future a little more upside with rookies like Monroe Freeling and Chris Brazzell II. The next obvious step is finding more reliable production at tight end, a spot that can make life easier for a young quarterback by cleaning up the middle of the field and giving him another dependable outlet when plays break down.
That is why the idea floating around ESPN caught some attention, even if it is still just that, an idea. Carolina has been linked to a potential move for a high-end tight end who has the kind of track record that would fit what the Panthers need, and Detroit's financial picture only adds to the speculation. Any deal would not be simple, though, because a trade would almost certainly have to come with real draft value and the kind of long-term commitment that turns a rumor into a major roster decision. [Read more 🡒]
Cam Newton Sounds Off After Troubling News About Former NFL Star
Chris Johnsons health news has landed with a jolt across the football world, and it has a lot of former players thinking beyond the diagnosis itself. The former running back carved out a remarkable NFL career from 2008 to 2017, highlighted by six straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons and a reputation as one of the fastest backs of his era, so hearing his name attached to a serious long-term illness naturally carries extra weight in league circles.
On his podcast, Cam Newton focused less on nostalgia and more on what comes next for the NFL and the people who played in it. Newton said he is very intrigued to see how the league responds and what its plan is to make the game safer while better protecting former players, a question that has only grown louder as more ex-NFL players have dealt with ALS. For Carolina fans, it was a reminder that the conversation around footballs toll does not end when a players career does. [Read more 🡒]