CHARLOTTE The defense had a target at the midway point of the mandatory minicamp:Chuba Hubbard. Call it a birthday gift from teammates for the man who turned 26 on Wednesday.

Whether it wasJaycee Hornrunning off the sideline to promise Hubbard thatTre'von Moehrigwas about to run through him,Tershawn Whartonand Hubbard squaring off as tensions rose (untilRobert Huntbroke it up with some sick dance moves), Hubbard celebrating in the face of the defense when he broke off a big run, or even Horn telling Hubbard he needed to get on the JUGS machine (a joke if there ever was one) it was a heightened sense of intensity built on brewing competition.

"We enemies with Chuba every day," joked outside linebackerPrincely Umanmielen. "It's usually always Jaycee and Chuba, but you know what I'm saying just Chuba is always yapping. Big trash talker, so the defense always goes at it with him."

For his part, Hubbard volleyed every taunt with one of his own, even if they weren't suitable to say in front of a microphone.

"I probably shouldn't say it on camera," Hubbard smirked, "just keep it on the field, but it was definitely competitive. I love that type of stuff, so it's good.

It's the kind of mettle that forges brotherhoods, the energy that creates passion for each other, and the stoke for a competitive fire. That's across the line, though. Hubbard's tactic in the running back room is slightly different now that he's RB1. It started by reaching out toRico Dowdleas soon as the free agent signed this spring. With the duo, the Panthers now have two 1,000-plus-yard rushers from 2024.

"Rico's my dog," Hubbard said. "Right when he signed, we chatted. We actually trained with the same RB guy and stuff in the off-season, so we connected that way. But I mean, he's cool; he's a cool guy, in all honesty.

"Usually, in the running back room, sometimes it can be a little off, but everyone's cool in our room, and that's a blessing. I don't take that for granted."

That extends toTrevor Etienne. The rookie running back was drafted in the fourth round of April's NFL draft and entered a room with the two aforementioned 1,000-yard backs andRaheem Blackshear. It's a situation Hubbard knows well, having spent his first two years in the league behind Christian McCaffrey and D'Onta Foreman. As they led him, so will Hubbard with Etienne.

"It's crazy how fast time flies, where I was when I was a rookie, and I was light years behind some of these guys," Hubbard recalled.

"I was telling (Etienne), I felt like I was all over the place at times, so he's done a really good job, asked a lot of questions, is a really good kid, works hard, and you know the sky's the limit for him. So just kinda continue to help him out any way I can.

"Everybody in the running back room knows I'm an outlet, so whatever you need, I got you."

For the next five weeks, though, players are largely on their own. The break begins following Thursday's minicamp practice. Some guys immediately go on vacation, then work out privately or with trainers for the remainder of the time. Others keep the work going the whole time, interspersing small breaks here and there.

All Hubbard needs, of course, is his JUGS machine. He bought one during his rookie year to live at home to keep his famous routine going over the break. He finds help for someone to feed it from whoever is around.

"It really depends on whoever's available. So yeah, anybody, even my neighbor sometimes, so shout out to my neighbor," Hubbard laughed.

No word on if he practices his trash talk with the neighbor as well, or saves that exclusively for the Panthers defense, in particular Jaycee Horn. But if there's one thing for sure about Hubbard, the intensity stays high, and the work doesn't stop, except for maybe his birthday.

"I'm going to take me some time off. It's my birthday, so a couple of days, but then after that, straight back to work," promised Hubbard. "It's a big year."