ESPN's Ben Solak named Jonathon Brooks the Carolina Panthers ' biggest X-factor for the 2026 season.
Brooks has only played in three NFL games. The Panthers took the RB in the second round of the 2024 draft after he tore his right ACL during his final season at Texas. He made his debut in the middle of his rookie season in 2024 and tore the same ACL again in his third NFL game.
Brooks has nine carries for 22 rushing yards in the NFL.
"Brooks was drafted to be the dominant drumbeat as a 20-plus-carry player and the home run threat on quick passes and screens that Canales has always schemed up well. If we finally get to see the player who has been promised, it'll move the needle on Carolina's season," Solak wrote. '
Chuba Hubbard and Trevor Etienne are back with the Panthers from last season and Carolina signed AJ Dillon as a free agent. How Brooks will fit into that backfield mix will be one of the things to watch in 2026.
"Feels good getting back to the football movements," Brooks said. "Obviously it's something I have to work on. Feel close to 100 percent, getting there. Still just going with the plan they have for me."
Panthers OC Brad Idzik has liked what he has seen from Brooks thus far.
As you can expect, Brooks is very motivated to stay healthy and play at a high level in 2026.
"He looked great out there yesterday," Idzik said on May 27. "He's attacking and everything he does, and then there'll just be continued dialogue with him of saying, 'Hey, here's what we need out of you.' Let us know too if there are other ways to feature your skill set, because I love the two-way street from player to coach, from coach to player, to make sure that they're communicating with us. You guys have ownership in this offense, too. I want to make sure we're highlighting everything that you do."
The Panthers made the playoffs last season after winning the NFC South. They lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round at home.
The Panthers have a difficult 2026 schedule . They face the Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens, Minnesota Vikings, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks.
To make the playoffs again, Carolina needs Brooks to stay healthy and produce strong numbers.
