Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb is facing uncertainty with his contract, putting him on the roster bubble. However, his time with the team is not necessarily coming to an end.
Chubb was recently recognized by Spotrac as a member of the “2024 NFL All-Bubble Team” due to his contract situation. He is currently in the final year of a three-year, $36.6 million contract extension signed in 2021. If the Browns were to part ways with Chubb, they would save approximately $12 million in valuable cap space.
Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti believes that the Browns will find a way to get out of Chubb’s current contract but will bring him back on a more team-friendly deal. Ginnitti stated, “The Browns absolutely want a healthy Nick Chubb leading their offense again, but that might be easier said than done at this point. The reality here is that an organization with -$20 million of cap space right now, probably needs to get out of this Chubb deal, freeing up $11.8 million of cap in doing so. A reunion on a much more team-friendly contract can certainly be hammered out in succession.”
Chubb suffered a significant knee injury in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, requiring surgeries to repair both his ACL and MCL. The most recent procedure took place in November, and while he is expected to return next season, the exact timeline is uncertain.
If the Browns decide to negotiate a new contract with Chubb, it could potentially include playing time incentives based on his performance.
The Browns have acknowledged that Chubb’s contract needs attention during the offseason. General manager Andrew Berry referred to it as the “elephant in the room” during his end-of-season press conference. However, Berry also expressed the team’s desire to have Chubb back for the upcoming season, stating, “No one wants to see that carry in Pittsburgh be the last time he carries a ball for the Cleveland Browns. I came into this season with a respect of 10 for Nick, and coming out of this year, it’s a 20. You would never think he was out for the season with the way he operated within the building. It was like he was doing two-a-day practices for rehab.”
Throughout his six seasons, Chubb has amassed 6,511 rushing yards and 48 touchdowns. His career average of 5.3 yards per carry ranks among the league’s best. Prior to his injury, he was on track for another exceptional season.
Browns Unlikely to Bring Back Kareem Hunt, Uncertain Future for Run Game
In a shocking turn of events, the Cleveland Browns may not be bringing back star running back Kareem Hunt. This news comes as a blow to fans who have come to rely on Hunt’s production on the field. Without him, the team is left without a clear solution to fill the void.
Last season, when Nick Chubb was sidelined with an injury, the Browns turned to a trio of running backs to carry the load. Jerome Ford, Kareem Hunt, and Pierre Strong Jr. all stepped up to try and fill Chubb’s shoes. Ford, in particular, shouldered much of the responsibility, racking up an impressive 813 yards on 204 carries with 4 rushing touchdowns.
Hunt, who was signed shortly after Chubb’s injury, played a crucial role as the team’s short-yardage back. Despite his limited playing time, he still managed to make an impact, totaling 411 yards on 135 carries and finding the end zone an impressive 11 times.
However, reports suggest that the Browns are unlikely to bring Hunt back for the upcoming season. This decision may have been influenced by former Browns running backs coach Stump Mitchell, who did not give Hunt a favorable review. Nevertheless, depending on Chubb’s recovery timeline, Hunt could potentially be a cost-effective and temporary solution for the team’s run game.
It remains to be seen how the Browns will address the absence of Hunt and the uncertainty surrounding Chubb’s future. Fans will have to wait and see what moves the team makes to ensure a strong running game in the seasons to come. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
According to the Source heavy.com