Getty Images
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb is making a remarkable comeback from a devastating knee injury. After undergoing multiple surgeries to repair his ACL and MCL, Chubb is expected to rejoin the team.
The Browns are determined to handle Chubb’s situation with care as they evaluate his future with the franchise. General manager Andrew Berry addressed the issue during a press conference, referring to it as the “elephant in the room.” While Chubb’s cap hit for next season is $15.8 million, the team has no guaranteed money left on his contract. Releasing Chubb would only result in $4 million of dead cap.
However, the Browns are eager to keep Chubb on board. They have high hopes that he will fully recover and regain his pre-injury form. Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com emphasized this point in her recent Q&A column, stating that the team will make every effort to handle Chubb’s contract in a way that recognizes his value to the franchise.
Chubb has been a vital component of the Browns’ offense when healthy. With a career average of 5.3 yards per carry, he has consistently delivered as a reliable force. However, next season is expected to see a shift in focus towards Deshaun Watson, according to Cabot. The Browns have built their offense around Watson, who is returning from a fractured throwing shoulder and hoping for his first full season with the team. Offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, known for his expertise with dual-threat quarterbacks like Cam Newton and Josh Allen, has been brought in to support Watson’s success.
Watson, who signed a massive $230 million fully guaranteed contract with the Browns after a blockbuster trade in 2022, has appeared in 12 games over two seasons. In those games, he has thrown for 2,217 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. Dorsey is confident that he can elevate Watson to become one of the league’s top quarterbacks.
“I’m thrilled to be working with this offense, especially Deshaun (Watson), who is undoubtedly one of the best quarterbacks in the league,” Dorsey expressed on February 5. “This season presents an opportunity for him to prove his skills and lead us to numerous victories.”
Cleveland Browns to Let Kareem Hunt Test Free Agency
In a surprising move, the Cleveland Browns have announced that they will allow Kareem Hunt to test free agency. This decision comes as a shock to many, as Hunt has been a key player in the Browns’ backfield alongside Jerome Ford.
Last season, Hunt had a somewhat underwhelming performance, finishing with 411 yards on 135 carries, resulting in an average of just 3.0 yards per carry. However, he did manage to make an impact in short-yardage situations, scoring a total of 9 rushing touchdowns. Hunt also added two more touchdowns in a Wild Card loss against the Houston Texans.
While Ford and Pierre Strong Jr. are expected to return for the Browns, Hunt’s future with the team remains uncertain. The Browns have made it clear that they will let him explore his options in free agency. This decision will undoubtedly give Nick Chubb the opportunity to showcase his skills at the beginning of the upcoming season.
It’s worth noting that last offseason, Hunt faced difficulties in finding a new team during free agency. He eventually signed with the Browns in late September, after a long period of uncertainty. It remains to be seen whether Hunt will have better luck this time around.
As the offseason progresses, it will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds for Kareem Hunt and the Cleveland Browns. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
According to the Source heavy.com