As the offseason has unfolded, Nick Chubb‘s time in Cleveland has increasingly looked as though it is coming to an end. Another indication emerged on Friday pointing to the Pro Bowl back needing to change teams shortly.

“I wouldn’t rule anything out, but I would say it’s probably increasingly unlikely,” general manager Andrew Berry said of a Chubb deal taking place during an appearance on 92.3 The Fan. “I’d say maybe a return is less likely, at least in the short term, with us right now.”

Entering the draft, it was unclear if Chubb would secure another Browns commitment based on his play upon returning to action in 2024. The 29-year-old played in eight games last season, but he was unable to duplicate his production or efficiency from the time preceding his massive 2023 knee injury. That ailment required multiple surgeries and led to questions about Chubb’s ability to return to the NFL in any capacity. While he managed to do so, the Browns very much appear to have moved on.

Cleveland added a pair of rookies to the backfield during the draft. With second-rounder Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson in the fold, two spots on the depth chart are accounted for in 2025 and beyond. A Chubb deal would have become more feasible in the event Jerome Ford had been released or traded this offseason. Instead, he agreed to a pay cut last week, ensuring his spot for next season. Those moves have pointed strongly to Chubb no longer being in Cleveland’s plans.

Berry acknowledged the Browns “haven’t necessarily been in strong communication” with Chubb’s camp since the draft. A lack of contract talks of course represents another signal the team has moved on. Chubb’s attention will turn to finding a suitor ahead of training camp, although by this point of the offseason teams have done much of their roster-building work. It will be interesting to see how much of a market develops over the coming weeks in his case.

Cleveland, meanwhile, will aim to develop a strong backfield duo of Judkins and Sampson over the coming years with Ford (who took on starting duties in Chubb’s absence in 2023) looking to boost his free agent stock for next spring. Barring an unforeseen development, Chubb will not figure into that group.

Nick Chubb remains unsigned at this point of the offseason, and his Browns future is still uncertain. That is especially true considering Cleveland added a pair of running backs during the draft.

Cleveland selected Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins in the second round before bringing in Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson in the fourth round. Those two join a backfield which also includes Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong. Chubb could be re-signed at any time, but it remains to be seen if the team will be willing to pursue a new deal.

“The complexion of our RB room has changed this weekend,” general manager Andrew Berry said after the draft (via The Land on Demand’s Tony Grossi). “We’ll be assessing where the roster is in the coming week.”

Cleveland currently has $16.59MM in cap space. A portion of that figure will be required to sign the team’s draft picks and make other moves during the summer, but the funds for another Chubb contract should be available if needed. The four-time Pro Bowler agreed to a pay cut last offseason in a deal which put him on track for free agency in 2025. Based on his level of play, it comes as little surprise Chubb still finds himself on the market.

After returning from the major knee injury he suffered early in the 2023 campaign, Chubb made a total of eight appearances last year. The 29-year-old logged a notable workload during that time, receiving double-digit carries six times. Chubb averaged only 3.3 yards per attempt – after seeing that figure range from 5.0 to 6.1 during each of his previous seasons – and he never managed more than 59 rushing yards in a contest in 2024, though. While a bounce-back season could be in store one more year removed from the injury, the Georgia product faces the possibility of never returning to his previous form.

Based on Berry’s remarks, a decision could be made soon with respect to Chubb’s situation. If no new Browns deal is to come, it will be interesting to see how his free agency unfolds.

Browns general manager Andrew Berry said that the team is not planning to re-sign running back Nick Chubb ahead of next month’s free agency.

“I would say at this point that we do expect Nick to hit the market,” said Berry at the Combine (via Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot). “Obviously his contract is up this year. We’ll meet with his reps and everything like that, but it’s something that obviously we need to work through over the next couple weeks.”

Chubb was one of the NFL’s most consistent running backs for the first five seasons of his career before a brutal injury ended his 2023 season after just two games. A lengthy rehab process sidelined him until Week 7 of the 2024 season, and a broken foot in Week 14 put him back on the shelf for the last three games of the year.

A report right before Chubb’s second injury indicated that the Browns were interested in retaining Chubb, but based on Berry’s comments, their stance has clearly changed. Cleveland’s reluctance to re-sign the veteran running back is understandable given their cap situation and his injury history, but they will have to address the position this offseason. They have just two running backs under contract and neither is signed beyond the 2025 season. Expect the Browns to add to their backfield via the draft in April.

Chubb recently expressed a desire to stay in Cleveland, but he will first have to test a free agency market that has several younger starting options. If Chubb doesn’t receive much interest, he may be motivated to return to the Browns on an inexpensive one-year deal to rebuild his value next season.

Nick Chubb‘s career has hit a few speed bumps over the past couple of years. The Browns star suffered a torn MCL and damaged ACL that limited him to two games in 2023. He returned to the field this past October, but his 2024 campaign ended early thanks to a broken foot.

Now, the running back faces an uncertain future as he enters free agency. If Chubb had his way, he’d remain in Cleveland for the rest of his career. The veteran told Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal that he’d “of course” prefer to re-sign with the only team he’s ever played for and would like to complete a deal “sooner than later.” The RB also cautioned that he’s “not sure how it’ll work” since it’s his first true trip to free agency.

“Man, just for me, the city of Cleveland means lot,” Chubb said. “To me, it’s a special place. The people in Cleveland make it great, the fans and just the people around the city. But always a special place to me in my heart. I loved it here and it will always be home, no matter what.”

Chubb went on a historic run through his first five years in the NFL, averaging 1,466 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns per season. This culminated in a 2022 campaign when he compiled 1,764 offensive yards and 13 scores en route to his first All-Pro nod. Then, as mentioned, Chubb’s career hit some major setbacks. He’s been limited to only 10 games across the past two seasons, and his half-season return in 2024 saw him average a career-low 3.4 yards per touch.

This next deal will represent the third contract of Chubb’s career; the former second-round pick inked a three-year, $36.6MM extension with the Browns in 2021. The team reworked that contract last offseason to assure Chubb would remain in Cleveland for the 2024 campaign, but his future beyond that is very much uncertain. Browns GM Andrew Berry previously acknowledged the RB’s contributions to the organization while also describing the player’s impending free agency as a “challenging situation,” a potential hint that the team may look to move on.

While Chubb’s recent foot injury isn’t expected to impact his 2025 availability, the player’s recent injury history will surely impact his market value. While teams should be willing to gamble on his past production, the impending free agent will be hard pressed to garner a lucrative contract in free agency. Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs barely cracked $12MM average annual values last offseason, while Derrick Henry had to settle for a two-year, $16MM deal. Chubb will likely have to opt for a prove-it deal this offseason, although perhaps he could earn back some money via incentives.

That contract could still come from the Browns, who don’t necessarily have a succession plan at the position. Jerome Ford didn’t necessarily run away with the job while filling in for Chubb, and the former fifth-round pick is one of only two RBs signed for the 2025 campaign (along with Pierre Strong).

As the likes of Derrick Henry, Joe Mixon, James Conner and Aaron Jones are showing, third-contract running backs can bring quality value to teams. Nick Chubb will be looking for his third deal in 2025, but the Browns running back has not been part of this year’s veteran running back renaissance.

It took half the season for Chubb to debut after a 2023 ACL tear, and he did so after accepting a sizable pay cut. The stalwart Cleveland RB will not finish the season, either, having suffered a broken foot in Week 15. Despite the offseason reduction and the two major injuries sustained over the past two seasons, the Browns-Chubb partnership does not look to be over.

Before his foot injury, Chubb expressed interest in re-signing with the Browns. The feeling is mutual, with CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones indicating a “strong belief” exists the Browns want Chubb back as well. This is both for ability and culture reasons, per Jones, as the seventh-year running back has been a team leader for a while now. Considering the mistake the Browns made with Deshaun Watson, keeping a well-regarded cornerstone around would not be the worst idea for a team in an unusual situation.

It is worth noting Jones’ assessment of this situation came hours before Chubb’s foot injury, but Kevin Stefanski said (via cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot) the Browns do not believe Chubb will need surgery. This would be a break for a player who needed two knee operations to address his severe injury. Chubb spent this offseason rehabbing, and the team hopes he can focus only on training — provided this foot matter does clear up without surgery — in 2025.

Chubb is in the final weeks of a three-year, $36.6MM deal, one he agreed to during the 2021 offseason (and one he adjusted in April). The Browns partially benefited from that pact, but for the most part, it did not provide the kind of value the team hoped. Chubb delivered a second-team All-Pro season in 2022, the first extension year, but went down with ACL, MCL and meniscus damage in Week 2 of last season. Upon return this year, the perennial Pro Bowler did not quite look himself.

Never averaging fewer than five yards per carry from 2018-23, Chubb posted a mere 3.3-yard number this season. He finished his seventh season with 321 rushing yards and three touchdowns, adding another receiving score. Chubb has four 1,000-yard seasons on his resume, including three 1,200-yard years, and played a central role in the Browns snapping their near-20-year playoff drought in 2020.

Considering Chubb’s form this season, he is not hitting free agency with momentum. Although teams will undoubtedly consider his earlier years when evaluating potential offers, Chubb’s injuries and shaky form when on the field this season may well lead to teams viewing him as being in a different stage of his career. That would probably allow the Browns to make a team-friendly proposal to keep their popular back.

Chubb will turn 29 next week. Cleveland’s current starter, Jerome Ford, is signed through the 2025 season on a fifth-round deal. Whether the team turns back to Chubb or pivots toward another veteran to team with Ford, help will be needed — potentially via the draft due to Ford’s contract situation and Watson’s albatross contract.

Nick Chubb‘s return to action in 2024 has proven to be short-lived. The Browns running back left Sunday’s game on crutches while wearing a walking boot, and now, he will not be available for the final three games of the campaign.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Chubb suffered a broken foot during the Browns’ Week 15 loss that will shut him down for the remainder of the season, one which offered optimism from a health perspective given his return to action in October. While the four-time Pro Bowler managed to heal from the major knee injury he suffered in 2023, his display upon being activated was not in line with his previous production.

Chubb had handled a notable workload heading into Sunday’s game, handling double-digit carries all but once in his seven appearances on the year. He managed to score three touchdowns on the ground over that span, but his 3.1 yards per attempt average represented by far the lowest of his career. That inefficiency is understandable given the nature of Chubb’s injury and the absences Cleveland has dealt with up front, but it could have an impact on his future with the organization.

While the immediate damage is to the Browns’ 2024 season, a season in which they’ve already been eliminated from the postseason, the eventual damage could come as Chubb seeks a new contract. After missing most of 2023, Chubb was heading into 2024 on the last year of a three-year extension. In fact, Chubb even accepted a pay cut in order to remain in Cleveland this season.

With free agency on the horizon and the injuries starting to compound, Chubb could find difficulty getting a new deal. Any team that signs him will want to do so on a reduced deal because of his recent injury history.

His best chance may be to re-sign with the Browns, a team that knows what he can do and may be more willing to work with him as he comes back from injury. Cleveland, though, may be looking to get new, young talent in the running backs room, along with a hometown discount in order to retain Chubb. The 28-year-old has already expressed interest in re-signing with the Browns and may be open to getting creative in order to make a reunion happen.

For now, though, the focus will be on recovery. Chubb will get off his feet, which should help make sure that by the time his foot is healed his knee may be closer to full health, as well. His free agency will depend upon just how healthy he can get, so his future in the NFL starts tomorrow with healing.

Ely Allen contributed to this post.

Browns running back Nick Chubb is set to be a free agent after this season, but he has every desire to stay in Cleveland for the rest of his career.

“I started here. I’d like to finish here,” said Chubb via Cleveland.com’s Dan Labbe. “Cleveland just means a lot to me. Everything we’ve been through, ups and downs, but I’m proud to be drafted here.”

Chubb agreed to a revised contract with the Browns this offseason as he worked his way back from last year’s knee injury. He’s managed just 291 yards and three touchdowns on 93 rushing attempts in his seven appearances this year, indicating that he’s still working his way back to his previous Pro Bowl form. Chubb will also turn 29 on December 27; combined, those two factors could complicate negotiations with the Browns.

Cleveland still has to figure out a plan for Deshaun Watson‘s fully-guaranteed contract. Absorbing a massive dead cap hit in 2025 could hinder their ability to keep in-house free agents like Chubb. After taking a pay cut this year, he may be looking to cash in on what could be the last big contract of his career.

The Browns haven’t gotten much production out of their other running backs this year. Jerome Ford, D’Onta Foreman, and Pierre Strong have combined for fewer than 600 rushing yards and just one rushing touchdown. Whether it’s Chubb, an external free agent, or a draft pick, the Browns will need to figure out a new plan for their backfield in 2025.

Chubb is not the only notable Browns player to publicly state that he wants to remain in Cleveland after his contract expires. Jameis Winston also wants to stick around, indicating that the Browns have maintained a cohesive organizational culture despite the turmoil surrounding the franchise since their ill-fated acquisition of Watson in 2022.