As the likes of Derrick Henry, Joe Mixon, James Conner and Aaron Jones are showing, third-contract running backs can bring quality value to teams. Nick Chubb will be looking for his third deal in 2025, but the Browns running back has not been part of this year’s veteran running back renaissance.
It took half the season for Chubb to debut after a 2023 ACL tear, and he did so after accepting a sizable pay cut. The stalwart Cleveland RB will not finish the season, either, having suffered a broken foot in Week 15. Despite the offseason reduction and the two major injuries sustained over the past two seasons, the Browns-Chubb partnership does not look to be over.
Before his foot injury, Chubb expressed interest in re-signing with the Browns. The feeling is mutual, with CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones indicating a “strong belief” exists the Browns want Chubb back as well. This is both for ability and culture reasons, per Jones, as the seventh-year running back has been a team leader for a while now. Considering the mistake the Browns made with Deshaun Watson, keeping a well-regarded cornerstone around would not be the worst idea for a team in an unusual situation.
It is worth noting Jones’ assessment of this situation came hours before Chubb’s foot injury, but Kevin Stefanski said (via cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot) the Browns do not believe Chubb will need surgery. This would be a break for a player who needed two knee operations to address his severe injury. Chubb spent this offseason rehabbing, and the team hopes he can focus only on training — provided this foot matter does clear up without surgery — in 2025.
Chubb is in the final weeks of a three-year, $36.6MM deal, one he agreed to during the 2021 offseason (and one he adjusted in April). The Browns partially benefited from that pact, but for the most part, it did not provide the kind of value the team hoped. Chubb delivered a second-team All-Pro season in 2022, the first extension year, but went down with ACL, MCL and meniscus damage in Week 2 of last season. Upon return this year, the perennial Pro Bowler did not quite look himself.
Never averaging fewer than five yards per carry from 2018-23, Chubb posted a mere 3.3-yard number this season. He finished his seventh season with 321 rushing yards and three touchdowns, adding another receiving score. Chubb has four 1,000-yard seasons on his resume, including three 1,200-yard years, and played a central role in the Browns snapping their near-20-year playoff drought in 2020.
Considering Chubb’s form this season, he is not hitting free agency with momentum. Although teams will undoubtedly consider his earlier years when evaluating potential offers, Chubb’s injuries and shaky form when on the field this season may well lead to teams viewing him as being in a different stage of his career. That would probably allow the Browns to make a team-friendly proposal to keep their popular back.
Chubb will turn 29 next week. Cleveland’s current starter, Jerome Ford, is signed through the 2025 season on a fifth-round deal. Whether the team turns back to Chubb or pivots toward another veteran to team with Ford, help will be needed — potentially via the draft due to Ford’s contract situation and Watson’s albatross contract.
Chubb may never be the same, but if he wants to stay in Cleveland, they should just make him a Brown for his whole career. Lord knows they could stand to do something for culture and karma (in the good direction).
Nick personifies class and commands respect…two commodities the Browns organization has in short supply.
He’d be smart to leave. Go finally win some games bud.
They have to let him go. RBs have a short shelf life and they can’t afford a bad contract financially thanks to the Watson fiasco.
I think the smart move would be to draft someone (lots of available runningbacks) and see if Chubb wants to stick around as a mentor and split carries with the rookie and Ford for a contract close to the minimum
I think this might be the first time I’ve heard it suggested that RBs need mentors. All the great RBs just seem to have a natural instinct that can’t be taught. Chubb of course would provide strong locker room leadership even if he weren’t asked to school other players.
Give him a contract that ensures he finishes his career with the Browns. He might not be what he was but his attitude and passion are contagious and he deserves to only wear one jersey if that’s what he wants.
Time to leave. A contender will keep an eye on his rehab. This team isnt going anywhere with Watson and Winston.
Needs to find a team that will use him as a 2 in a 1-2 punch. Lower the workload