Nick Chubb: Ready to rumble with Browns or done in Cleveland

The bulk of the free agency period for the Cleveland Browns is pretty much over with. There have been a few free agent signings from GM Andrew Berry lately, including WR Dionte Johnson.

Berry inked CB/S Nik Needham from the Miami Dolphins on April 21. A week earlier, he signed DE Julian Okwara, and on April 11, brought back QB Joe Flacco. Without selecting a receiver in the NFL draft, two days after that event, Johnson was brought in for a visit and agreed to a deal.

So, new veteran bodies remain a topic.

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But what about RB Nick Chubb? At the time of the draft, he remained unsigned and was still out there working out and improving his body. Is Berry still going to sign Chubb back with the Browns?

At the Combine in March, Berry stated this when asked about Chubb’s return:

“Nick is a popular discussion point. I meant what I said about him at the end of the season. Any conversations we will have with him or his reps will stay between us. He works his tail off. He does everything in his power to make sure that he can recover as quickly as possible. It still is very early. We’re six months away from training camp. To say anything more than I did in the middle of January would be inaccurate.”

Berry referenced what he had said previously at the end-of-the-year presser. This is what transpired in that news conference:

“I think everyone in this room knows how much respect and appreciation we have for Nick. Not just for his exploits on the field, but who he is in the locker room and who he is as a person. It’s always a challenging situation when one of your cornerstone players their contract is up. That’s probably a little different situation relative to his last, where there is less control on the club side with it. Those are all decisions we have to work with. We love Nick. He’s going to be a Ring of Honor player. In terms of the short term, that’s something that quite honestly we will see.”

Chubb was able to return to the field in Week 7 this past season. He played in 8 games and had 102 carries with 332 yards, three touchdowns, a 3.3 yards per carry average, and caught five passes for 31 yards with another score.

Everyone points to that 3.3 yards per carry average. Last year, before the knee accident, he was averaging 6.1 yards per carry. The lowest he has ever had in any season was 5.0 yards per carry. When he finally hit the field this year, did he look like the same Nick Chubb? The most yardage he accumulated in a single game was just 59 yards. He had less than 41 yards in four games, including two contests in which his numbers were in the 20s.

Then, in Week 15, he exited the game in the third quarter with a broken foot. The injury ended his comeback season.

Chubb’s game since his return was already off in the limited action he played. Maybe it was one of those rehab injuries that just took some time, and a productive off-season plus rest would solve the issues.

His contract had expired, and instead of an extension, he became a free agent. The mad rush of the free agency period began, and no word from Berry on whether he had re-signed Chubb.

The question was raised whether Jerome Ford would be leading the Browns going into 2025. The franchise looked to upgrade and did in the draft when they selected Quinshon Judkins of Ohio State in Round 2, and then the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, Dylan Sampson, from Tennessee in Round 4.

Suddenly, the running back room consisted of Ford, Pierre Strong, Judkins, Sampson, undrafted rookie Ahmani Marshall of Appalachian State, and FB Troy Hairston. John Kelly would certainly be involved at some point.

Judkins rushed for over 1,000 yards three seasons in a row and was voted First Team All-SEC twice, plus Third Team All-Big 10. Sampson had 1,485 yards with 22 TDs this past year and was selected Second Team All-American, plus First Team All-SEC. In addition, newly drafted tight end Harold Fannin, Jr. had significant rushing yards while in college.

Chubb’s future?

But no word on Chubb coming out of Cleveland - although drafting two rookie running backs would pretty much tell the story, wouldn’t it? Or did the coaching staff have different plans for Strong and Ford with Chubb coming back to compete with the youngsters?

Not so fast.

There is speculation now that Chubb is headed to an NFC North team. Namely, the Chicago Bears. None of the other teams in this division need a running back.

Chicago was almost certain to select a running back high in the draft, but only took Kyle Monangai of Rutgers in Round 7. They have D’Andre Swift as their starter on the roster, but not much behind him on the depth chart. So, it was a complete surprise when the Bears did not dedicate a draft pick early to a young stud for the running back room.

 Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images

According to Ken Carman of 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland:

“Are we ready to say goodbye to Nick Chubb? I heard he’s getting kind of close to a deal with another team that happens to be in the NFC North.”

Last season, the Bears drafted QB Caleb Williams first overall and have since been working on their offensive line. Swift is a good back, but needs a complement, like with every other club. Chicago backup Roschon Johnson is concussion-prone.

Chubb is just 29 years old and has been seen squatting 600 pounds, so his leg issues are behind him. He has great hands and is an exceptional blocker. Swift and Chubb were teammates while at Georgia.

Carman continued:

“I hope he comes back. It’s looking more and more unlikely. I think both sides are kinda ready to move on it seems to me.”

Chubb has played 10 games for Cleveland in the last two years. His injury history has been unfortunate. He is a fav favorite while his #24 jersey dots the stands at every home game.

Again, Chubb has done an exceptional job with yet another leg rehab. If he appears ready to step onto the field for 2025, why aren’t the Browns interested? Why draft not one, but two running backs to take his place? Why not just clean house, sign Chubb, bring in the two young bucks, and see what happens this year?

Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry had terrific rebound seasons in 2024. Why can’t Chubb be that next storyline?

Matthew Peterson of Browns Report had this thought:

“I think Nick Chubb is gone. I’ve felt this way since the Combine when Andrew Berry’s tone and everything sounded like a guy who was prepared to let Chubb test the open market. And after the draft, taking two running backs. It surely feels like that’s an example of actions speak louder than words. And he had the words to go along with it.”

And what about Chubb posting a ton of clips on Instagram of him being a workout warrior? That occurred right after the draft had concluded with two new bodies for the Browns’ running back room. Timing? Or a message?

Chubb can rebound. The only question that remains is whether it will be in Cleveland or Chicago.