Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb is facing a long road to recovery after undergoing knee surgery. The devastating season-ending injury occurred in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, leading to multiple surgeries, with the most recent taking place in November. Although the timeline for Chubb’s return remains uncertain, the team remains hopeful that he will be able to take the field at some point next season. However, Browns insider Terry Pluto believes that it will take some time for Chubb to regain his pre-injury form.
According to Pluto, it is doubtful that Chubb will be ready for the start of the upcoming season. With two major knee surgeries within a three-month span, it is expected that Chubb will need more time to fully recover. Pluto even suggests that the best version of Chubb post-surgery may not be seen until 2025. This news is disappointing for Browns fans, as Chubb has been a key contributor to the team’s offense since joining in 2018. With impressive rushing statistics and a career average of 5.3 yards per carry, Chubb’s absence will surely be felt.
Despite his silence since the surgery, Chubb has been seen around the team facility, showing his dedication to his recovery. He even made a special appearance as the Dawg Pound Captain for the Browns’ final home game. However, it is clear that Chubb’s focus is on getting back to full strength rather than engaging in media appearances or discussions.
Looking ahead, the Browns will need to address Chubb’s contract situation during the offseason. General manager Andrew Berry acknowledges that this is a significant issue, referring to it as the “elephant in the room” during a press conference. With a cap hit of nearly $16 million for the upcoming season, the team must carefully consider their options. Releasing Chubb would save them $11.825 million, but the hope is to rework his contract and keep him as a valuable member of the team.
Berry expressed his desire to see Chubb continue to carry the ball for the Browns, emphasizing that they will work to keep him on the team. The uncertainty surrounding Chubb’s recovery and his future with the team adds an additional layer of complexity to the contract negotiations. However, the Browns remain committed to supporting Chubb throughout his rehabilitation and ensuring his long-term success with the organization.
Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt is set to become a free agent this offseason, according to reports. After Nick Chubb’s injury, the Browns relied on a committee of running backs, including Jerome Ford, Kareem Hunt, and Pierre Strong Jr. While Ford and Strong are already under contract for next season, Hunt’s future with the team remains uncertain.
Throughout the season, Hunt managed to accumulate 411 yards on 135 carries, averaging just 3.0 yards per carry. However, his biggest contributions came in short-yardage situations, where he scored a team-high nine rushing touchdowns during the regular season. In the Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans, Hunt added two more touchdowns, one receiving and one rushing.
Despite expressing his desire to stay in Cleveland, it seems unlikely that Hunt will return to the Browns. According to sources, the team is fond of Ford but is expected to explore other options in the form of either signing or drafting a young running back.
Hunt began the season without a team but was eventually picked up by the Browns following Chubb’s injury. It remains to be seen which path Hunt’s career will take next, but his time in Cleveland may be coming to an end.
According to the Source heavy.com