Running back Nick Chubb of the Cleveland Browns recently joined that group and now faces an uncertain future. Despite spending seven great years with the organization, he still does not have a contract. Once a key player in the Browns’ offense, Chubb ranks third on the franchise’s career rushing list and has earned recognition as a four-time Pro Bowl selection. A few recent factors point to a reunion between Chubb and the Browns growing increasingly unlikely.
That’s on top of losing breakout star Bronco Chubb, who broke his foot in Week 15 of the 2023 campaign. Luckily, he has fully recovered from that injury and it no longer is an issue. In his first five campaign seasons, he was incredibly consistent, rushing for 1,000-plus yards in four straight seasons prior to 2023. He hit the height of his powers last season, racking up a career-high 1,525 rushing yards. With an average of 5.1 yards per carry, he ranked second only to Jamaal Charles among everyone with at least 1,000 career rushes in the Super Bowl era.
Despite these successes, Chubb’s 2023 performance hasn’t lived up to his usual standards. He only rushed for 332 yards this year. On top of that, he posted career lows in 11 important metrics, including 3.3 yards per carry, 1.85 yards after contact per rush and just 4.9% of his carries going for at least 10 yards.
Cleveland Browns General Manager has been proactive about maintaining communication with Chubb and his representatives. That conversation was happening in the run up to last month’s NFL draft. He said there has been a drop off in communication since that time.
“I wouldn’t rule anything out, but I would say that it’s probably increasingly unlikely,” – Andrew Berry
During the draft, the Browns added two young running backs: Quinshon Judkins from Ohio State and Dylan Sampson from Tennessee, further complicating Chubb’s potential return to the team.
Berry expressed optimism regarding Chubb’s recovery from his knee injury, stating, “You’re never going to rule out someone as near and dear to our heart as Nick, and I would expect him to take another step being a year removed from the knee injury. I’d say a return is less likely, at least in the short term, with us right now.”
Even after starting the last two years for the Cleveland Browns, Chubb’s future there is in doubt. Both sides are hard at work charting a course in this fluid landscape.
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