Isiah Pacheco is hard at work entering his first season with the Detroit Lions, but after signing a one-year deal, it can't be helped that there are questions about the long-term backup role behind Jahmyr Gibbs.
Jake Beckman at FanSided has a fitting solution: Chuba Hubbard. Hubbard is entering the second season of his four-year, $32.2 million deal with the Carolina Panthers.
Beckman says the Lions RB room is in "a tremendous spot" thanks to Gibbs being one of the league's best RBs, but doesn't see "the husk of Isiah Pacheco" as a suitable replacement for David Montgomery, who was traded to the Houston Texans this offseason. That "feral hog of a short-yardage back."
Like Montgomery, Hubbard can do more than just short-yardage running. He's elusive in his own right. Last season, Hubbard ran for 511 yards and a single touchdown, along with 223 receiving yards and three TDs. That might not sound thrilling, but Hubbard played a similar role to Montgomery, with lead back Rico Dowdle rushing for 1,076 yards and six TDs.
You only have to go back to the 2024 season to truly see Hubbard's running prowess, rushing for 1,195 yards and 10 TDs. The Hubbard the Lions would get would be closer to the 2025 vintage, as he would not be the lead back ahead of Gibbs. However, his profile is a close match to Montgomery's, making him an excellent pairing for Gibbs, as Montgomery historically was.
Hubbard also has experience rushing behind new Lions center Cade Mays, who played 52 games for the Panthers after being drafted by the team a year after Hubbard in 2022. That familiarity and likely chemistry could help Hubbard quickly adjust to the Lions if traded there.
But that's a big if.
A Hubbard trade would be unlikely
Hubbard would be an exciting addition to the Lions' RB room, but one that is unlikely to happen. Hubbard's cap hit will steadily increase throughout the remainder of his deal, which could make moving him enticing for the Panthers as they try to build around young players like quarterback Bryce Young and Offensive Rookie of the Year wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
But Beckman notes that RBs are "at a premium right now," which Lions fans understand all too well given the Gibbs extension saga and the rising cost of RBs. The Panthers don't have another RB right now that can compete for the RB1 slot after Dowdle left to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hubbard is currently backed up by Jonathan Brooks, Trevor Etienne, and AJ Dillion.
READ MORE: Lions' matchup with Falcons will put elite running back battle at center stage
From the Lions' perspective, they might not have the available funds to pay for an RB2 beyond the cheaper veterans like Pacheco. Considering that RB premium, the cost to acquire Hubbard might be too much for general manager Brad Holmes.
Yet, the league is full of surprises, so never say never about a Hubbard trade. He would be a wonderful fit for the Lions and would more than fill the void left by Montgomery. For now, Pacheco will have his chance to be that guy and prove to the Lions he's worth keeping beyond 2026.
Add us as a preferred source on Google