When it comes to the NFL salary cap, every dollar counts—and where a team invests its money tells you a lot about its strategy. For the Carolina Panthers, the running back room is getting a solid, middle-of-the-pack share of the pie. Let's break down the numbers and see how they stack up against the rest of the league.

Chuba Hubbard is the undisputed bell cow for Carolina, and his contract reflects that status. This season, his cap hit sits just under $7.5 million—a figure that puts him among the higher-paid backs in the league. Behind him, the Panthers have a mix of youth and veteran depth. Jonathon Brooks is still on his rookie deal, counting roughly $2.3 million against the cap. Newcomer AJ Dillon signed a one-year deal worth up to $1.262 million, though only $100,000 of that is guaranteed. Trevor Etienne, also on a rookie contract, carries a much lighter cap hit of around $1.25 million due to his later draft position and early contract years. (We won't factor in camp invitees for this breakdown.)

Looking ahead to next season, the backfield should remain largely intact. Cutting or trading Brooks or Etienne would actually cost the Panthers cap space, and given the team's affinity for Hubbard, he's not going anywhere. His cap hit is projected to jump to about $9 million next year, but a release would free up roughly $6 million. Don't be surprised if the Panthers explore a contract extension to create a bit more breathing room. If Dillon performs well and sticks around, he could earn a modest extension of his own.

So, how does Carolina's spending compare to the rest of the NFL? The Panthers are allocating about 3.24% of their 2026 cap to running backs, placing them 15th in the league—right in the middle of the pack. At the high end, teams like the Packers, Saints, Jets, Vikings, and Colts are devoting over 5% of their cap to the position. On the flip side, the Browns, Giants, Dolphins, and Commanders are spending less than 1%. It's a clear sign that while the running back position has been devalued league-wide, the Panthers still see it as a worthy investment—just not an extravagant one.