Jonathon Brooks
Getty
Jonathon Brooks fired back at the Panthers fanbase in a post on social media
The Carolina Panthers took a leap forward last season, as they found their way into the playoffs, despite playing inconsistent football throughout the year. It’s clear that the team has something it can build off of, though, and there’s reason to believe that the team will remain at the top of the weak NFC South division moving forward.
On offense, the Panthers appear set to get running back Jonathon Brooks back on the field after he missed the entire 2025 campaign due to a torn ACL. Injuries have plagued Brooks early in his NFL career, and he recently took aim at Carolina fans who have been criticizing him for the amount of time he has been forced to miss so far in his career.
Jonathon Brooks Takes Aim at Panthers Fans
Jonathon Brooks
I’ll never understand how the fanbase you play for can not only tear you down as a person and player but bring your significant other into it 🙏🏽🙏🏽 The world needs a lot of Jesus
In 2023, Brooks appeared set to be a first-round pick in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft, as he was enjoying a strong season with the Texas Longhorns. Everything came crashing down, though, when Brooks tore his right ACL in November, which caused his draft stock to fall. Still, his production prior to his injury (187 CAR, 1,139 YDS, 10 TD, 25 REC, 286 YDS, 1 TD) led to the Panthers selecting him in the second round of the draft.
Carolina was very cautious when it came to Brooks’ injury rehab, as he didn’t end up making his NFL debut until Week 12. Just when it looked like Brooks was beginning to find his way, though, he tore his right ACL again in Week 14, forcing him to undergo surgery once again and start working his way back onto the field.
Brooks didn’t play at all for the Panthers last season, with both sides agreeing to set their sights on the 2026 campaign. And even with the team’s success and the lengthy rehab process Brooks has had to endure twice now, fans haven’t been shy when it comes to criticizing him and his family. That recently led the talented running back to speak out on social media.
“I’ll never understand how the fanbase you play for can not only tear you down as a person and player but bring your significant other into it 🙏🏽🙏🏽 The world needs a lot of Jesus,” Brooks said in a post on X.
Panthers Hoping Jonathon Brooks Can Find His Way in 2026
Jonathon Brooks
GettyPanthers RB Jonathon Books, sidelined since 2024.
Carolina had Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard leading its running back room last season, so it didn’t really need to force Brooks into action. Considering all the adversity he had faced in recent years, it made sense to ensure that once he gets back on the field, he’s fully healthy. All signs point to Brooks being ready for the start of the year, which is great news for the Panthers.
With Dowdle departing in free agency, that leaves Hubbard, Brooks, and AJ Dillon (who was signed in free agency) as the leaders in the running back room. While Hubbard is going to be leading the way to start, Brooks figures to have an opportunity to carve out a role for himself next season. He admittedly hasn’t had much of a chance to make an impression on Panthers fans, but assuming he can stay healthy, that should change in a big way next season.