Browns great Nick Chubb signed a free agent contract with the Houston Texans yesterday and thus ends the Nick Chubb era in Cleveland. It was inevitable he was gone after the drafting of Quinshon Judkins in the second round of the recent draft. If the Browns had drafted their first running back in the third round, then this might not have happened. The team talked to Chubb’s agents once a week and expressed a desire to have Chubb return. But his representatives decided to wait till after the draft. Chubb embodied what a Browns player was all about, a quiet workhorse. You can be sad he’s not a Brown but not signing him was a smart business move. Nick Chubb is no longer the back he was prior to the injury. Watching 2024 games, he relied on being a power back. The vision was there, but not the burst or the shiftiness. While he would occasionally have a five-to-ten-yard run, most of his carries would result in a loss or a one two-yard gain. He’s not the same running back and I doubt he’ll return to the franchise back he used to be.
Many Browns fans will make a big deal out of the contract he signed. The reported contact is what the agent wants you know. I’ll wait till Over The Cap has the true numbers, but I willing to bet his salary for 2025 is the veteran minimum of $1,170,000. I had heard if he signed with the Browns; it would have been a one-year deal with reachable incentives and future team options. This was his choice. What if he was signed by the Browns and he couldn’t beat out Dylan Sampson and Jerome Ford? Then the Browns would have to cut him. There are people still mad at Bill Belichick for cutting Bernie Kosar. I’m still mad at Art Modell for letting Jim Brown retire. The NFL is a business, and this was a business decision by Nick Chubb. Could the rookie running backs have benefitted from Chubb being on the team? Sure, but it also could’ve been a hindrance. They won’t have to constantly field Nick Chubb questions all through training camp.
Judkins can be the starting running back for the Browns and based what I saw of his play in college, both at Mississippi and Ohio State, he’ll be very good. Remember he scored three touchdowns in the National Championship game. Cleveland is returning to the wide zone offense that running backs thrive in and the team has improved the offensive line. Many fans are clamoring for Shedeur Sanders to start. The best way for a rookie quarterback to excel is a strong running attack, a veteran tight end and a veteran wide receiver.
A majority of fans will blame GM Andrew Berry, but that’s the job description of an NFL GM. Don’t take the credit when it’s due and listen to the blame from disgruntled fans. I’ve already seen the ridiculous logic on social media. This team needs young legs to carry the new rushing attack. Judkins and Sampson are those guys. As I’ve said, this maybe the most productive draft class Andrew Berry has ever drafted. I’ll miss seeing Nick Chubb in a Browns uniform, but his career in Cleveland essentially ended game two of the 2024 season. I wish him the best of luck, and I hope he can stay healthy. Stay safe and Go Browns.