CHICAGO — The Carolina Panthers spent $150 million in free agency during the offseason on beefing up the middle of their offensive line, and guard Damien Lewis gave them a good return on their investment in the first quarter Sunday against the Chicago Bears.

Lewis, who got a four-year, $53 million deal, helped open a huge hole on the left side between him and tackle Ikem Ekwonu that running back Chuba Hubbard took advantage of for a 38-yard touchdown and 7-0 lead.

There goes Chuba Hubbard for a @Panthers touchdown! #KeepPounding

: #CARvsCHI on FOX
: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/WHZzLWr0ox

— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024

Hubbard went untouched to put him on track for his third straight 100-yard rushing game. His consecutive 100-yard games are the first of his career, and a third would make him the first since at Carolina since Christian McCaffrey in 2019.