Cleveland Browns Free Agent Overview: RB Nick Chubb

There isn’t any greater free agent identify on the Cleveland Browns this offseason than operating again Nick Chubb.

How and When They Joined the Browns

Chubb was a second-round decide by the Browns within the 2018 NFL Draft, initially taking part in behind veteran operating backs Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson. In 2021, Chubb signed a three-year, $36.6 million extension with the Browns.

Productiveness Degree Final Season

Photograph by Jason Miller/Getty Photos

Chubb had a protracted highway again when he tore his MCL and broken his ACL in a Week 2 recreation of the 2023 season. He began the 2024 season on the bodily unable to carry out listing, after which lastly made his return on October 20 towards the Cincinnati Bengals.

It was inspiring to see Chubb again on the sector. In what was a down season, although, followers confronted the predicament of hoping he would return to his outdated type and supply a jolt to the struggling offense, whereas additionally being understanding of the truth that he was coming off of main surgical procedures. Extra occasions than not, it simply ended up being a little bit of a downer seeing Chubb in motion final season. We have been used to him being the best-of-the-best for years — an unstoppable drive. And now, every week, he regarded like a pedestrian operating again who could be a beneath common participant.

He completed the 2024 season with 102 carries for 332 yards (3.3 YPC), after he averaged 5.0+ YPC in each season earlier than that. Chubb had 3 dashing touchdowns, and added 5 catches for 31 yards and 1 landing. He additionally fumbled the ball as soon as. Including to the deflating season was the truth that in Week 15, he exited early, and it was revealed that he suffered a damaged foot, ending his season early once more.

What the Browns Ought to Do

I’d love Chubb again in a Browns uniform, however there are lots of components in play right here. The shelf life for operating backs can typically see them hit a wall to the place they misplaced the step that made them particular. Chubb, in his lifetime, has now had two main knee surgical procedures, and most of the people might not even be capable to come again from certainly one of them. With what we noticed final season, is that the most effective that Chubb may be now? Or did he simply want extra time to get again to his former, dominant self? If that’s what Chubb is now, then he doesn’t appear like an NFL-caliber operating again any extra.

Followers will argue that Chubb is the guts and soul of the group, and after all the things he went by for restoration, the group must maintain him. Nevertheless, the Browns already used that feel-good story as the explanation for conserving him final offseason versus reducing him. On the NFL Mix, GM Andrew Berry indicated that Chubb is more likely to take a look at free company, however that they’ll stay involved with him.

What sort of contract will Chubb command? Once more, you’re in a predicament the place, if he was “the old Nick Chubb,” then he could be in line for yet another large contract to make him one of many highest-paid operating backs within the league. Nobody goes to do this primarily based on his efficiency final 12 months, coupled with the truth that he’s coming off of a damaged foot too. From Chubb’s perspective, he may need to accept the most effective “prove it” deal, which is a number of million {dollars}, coupled with incentives. It’s the kind of factor the place he’d hope that, if he carried out properly, a group would negotiate an extension throughout the season.

Tell us beneath whether or not or not you assume the Browns ought to re-sign Nick Chubb.

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Ought to the Browns re-sign RB Nick Chubb?