The Cleveland Browns’ decisions on draft night could serve as an indicator of their outlook on Nick Chubb’s future with the franchise.
With no first-round pick in the NFL Draft, slated for April 25-27, the Browns’ first selection arrives in the second round at No. 54 overall. Given the absence of pressing needs, the team has the flexibility to pursue various directions based on circumstances.
ESPN Cleveland’s Browns insider, Tony Grossi, suggests that selecting a running back with their initial pick could signal the end of Chubb’s tenure with the team.
“Firstly, the team’s offensive dynamics have evolved significantly since Nick Chubb joined. There’s a clear shift away from relying heavily on the running game,” Grossi highlighted during an ESPN Cleveland radio segment on April 24. “If they opt to draft a running back at No. 54, I’d interpret it as a sign that they’ve given up hope on Nick Chubb returning to play for them.”
Browns Reworked Nick Chubb’s Contract
Getty ImagesThe Browns have indicated that they expect Nick Chubb to return to the field next season at some point.
Despite speculation, the Cleveland Browns have consistently asserted their belief in Nick Chubb’s return to play next season, although the exact timetable remains uncertain due to his ongoing recovery from a severe knee injury sustained in September 2023.
Chubb and the Browns recently restructured his contract during the offseason, with the agreement significantly altering his base salary to approximately $12 million, converting a considerable portion into incentives. This adjustment effectively reduced Chubb’s cap hit to a more manageable $6.275 million.
“Yeah, I won’t delve into the specifics of the contract, but I believe that whenever you navigate a situation like that, there’s a misconception that it’s easy for a club and an agent to take an adversarial stance,” Browns GM Andrew Berry remarked on April 18. “With Nick’s situation, I truly commend Nick and his representatives, Todd France and A.J. Stevens, for their collaborative approach in finding a solution that benefitted everyone.
“You know, I think everyone here is thrilled that Nick is back with the Cleveland Browns, and we’re very optimistic about his rehab progress.”
Browns Added Depth Behind Nick Chubb
Getty ImagesThe Browns added D’Onta Foreman in free agency.
The Browns are eagerly anticipating Chubb’s return but are also not solely relying on him to shoulder the workload. Cleveland welcomes back Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr. from last season’s roster.
Ford assumed the lead back role last season in Chubb’s absence, tallying 813 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns, with an average of 4.0 yards per carry.
Additionally, the Browns bolstered their depth this offseason with veteran acquisitions, including D’Onta Foreman and Nyheim Hines. Foreman is anticipated to fill a role similar to Kareem Hunt’s, while Hines brings his strengths in pass-catching and kick-return abilities to the team.
“Depth is crucial at every position, and we were really pleased with the running back room last year,” Berry remarked. “Jerome and Pierre, in particular, did an outstanding job stepping up, and of course, we had Kareem Hunt for those high-leverage and short-yardage situations. Jerome and Pierre received a significant amount of playing time and reps last year, and we feel very confident in their skill sets. We’ve also added a couple of players with different skill sets to that room, which can complement their abilities. Overall, we believe we’re in a strong position.”
The addition of a healthy Chubb would undoubtedly bolster the unit further. The four-time Pro Bowler has accumulated 6,511 rushing yards and 48 touchdowns over 77 games.