Despite head coach Dave Canales’ insistence on establishing a tandem backfield with Chuba Hubbard, it turned clear that Rico Dowdle was Carolina’s greatest again in 2025, logging 1,076 dashing yards and 6 dashing scores on 236 makes an attempt. Dowdle can be headed towards free company in 2026. Hubbard returns on his rookie deal, however it could behoove the Panthers to each exchange Dowdle and likewise try to enhance their Nineteenth-ranked dashing assault, particularly with one other pivotal season approaching for quarterback Bryce Young. Walker enters the dialog due to this want and likewise due to Canales’ connection to Walker. Canales served on Pete Carroll’s workers in Seattle as quarterbacks coach in 2022, Walker’s rookie season with the Seahawks, and Panthers offensive coordinator Brad Idzik was additionally in Seattle in 2022 as an assistant receivers coach earlier than following Canales to Tampa Bay and Carolina. In an enormous league that operates in a small world, familiarity typically drives new pairings. With slightly over $9 million in accessible cap, the Panthers will must clear some house in order to make a number of additions to their roster, particularly provided that Walker will possible command roughly $9 million per yr along with his subsequent contract. But the pairing is smart, particularly when contemplating how a lot Canales likes to lean on a tandem behind heart.
Where will Super Bowl LX MVP play in 2026?
