Nick Chubb Dealt Harsh Reality on Future With Browns

The door on a Nick Chubb return to the Browns is nearly shut following a recent contract decision that signals a likely end to his time in Cleveland.

Chubb has spent his entire seven-year NFL career with the Cleveland Browns, emerging as one of the league's premier running backs. From 2019 to 2022, he posted four straight 1,000-yard seasons, including a career-best 1,525 yards and 12 touchdowns in his last healthy campaign.

However, injuries have derailed his production over the past two seasons. A devastating knee injury early in 2023 sidelined him for all but two games and impacted his availability in 2024. He returned to action last season but appeared in just eight games, finishing with 332 yards on 102 carries. His 3.3 yards per carry marked a career low. Chubb ended the season on injured reserve due to a broken foot.

Chubb’s first trip to free agency hasn’t generated much buzz and the Browns appear to be moving on. The team used two draft picks on running backs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson. Meanwhile, Chubb’s former backfield partner, Jerome Ford, recently took a pay cut to stay on the roster.

Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com doesn't expect a reunion with Nick Chubb, predicting the star running back will be suiting up for another team next season.

"Ford accepted a pay cut to $1.75 million on Friday, about half of his original salary, but it’s also guaranteed. It likely spelled the end of Chubb’s seven-year career here, a tough pill to swallow for Browns fans," Cabot said. "If a Browns running back gets injured, Chubb will likely be on their short list, but as of now, it appears he’ll play elsewhere this season