Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb is one of the greatest players in franchise history, but it sounds like he’s played his last down with the team. A second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Georgia product established himself as one of the game’s elite downfield runners during the peak of his career. Unfortunately, he suffered a gruesome knee injury in 2023 that limited him to just two games. While he returned to the field in 2024, he never recaptured his old magic and averaged just 3.3 yards per carry on 102 attempts.
Now a free agent, Nick Chubb remains unsigned and probably won’t return to the Cleveland Browns. This comes straight from the mouth of general manager Andrew Berry, and, frankly, it doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Cleveland selected two running backs in the 2025 NFL Draft and restructured Jerome Ford’s contract, which made it all but impossible for Chubb to return in any meaningful capacity. While he may not be the player he once was, he could still help the following organizations in a supporting role.
Nick Chubb Won’t Return to Browns, New Suitors Could Emerge
Possible New Homes
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs enter the 2025 offseason with Isiah Pacheco and the aging Kareem Hunt leading their backfield. Last year proved that this duo is talented enough to get this team to the Super Bowl, but it’s not the most formidable group in the league by any stretch of the imagination. Nick Chubb probably won’t recapture his old form away from the Browns, but he offers more upside than Pacheco or Hunt. Kansas City should bring him in and see if they can catch lightning in a bottle.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys need a running back in the worst way. Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, and fifth-round rookie Jaydon Blue form the league’s least exciting group of playmakers throughout the NFL. Running back is one of the least important positions in the game, but Dallas needs more firepower to compete in a crowded NFC East. Nick Chubb should beat out these three and could revive his career if he can fully put his knee injury behind him.
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears tried and failed to acquire a running back early in the 2025 NFL Draft, which means D’Andre Swift is currently atop the depth chart. However, head coach Ben Johnson probably isn’t happy with that. The two sides didn’t see eye to eye during their time together in Detroit, and Johnson clearly believes in the value of a starting-caliber running back. If he can’t trade for a better option, then he could sign Nick Chubb and see if there’s any Browns magic left in his tank.
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos selected RJ Harvey in the second round to be their running back of the future. The rookie could live up to those expectations, but Sean Payton’s squad should add a veteran like Nick Chubb in case he needs time to adjust to NFL life. Most players aren’t ready to start from Day 1, and Denver doesn’t have a good Plan B at the position. Chubb may not be the most electric option, but he’s more than capable of reading his blocks and picking up yards behind a strong offensive line.
Main Photo: Barry Reeger – Imagn Images
The post REPORT: Browns Pro Bowler “Increasingly Unlikely” To Return to Team – New Homes Emerge appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.