Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb will be a free agent following the 2024 NFL season and should be one of the most interesting players on the market. At the peak of his career, the second-round pick was arguably the best pure rusher in the league. Starting his career behind Carlos Hyde, the Georgia product took the starting job midway through his rookie season and never looked back. From 2019 to 2022, the running back made four consecutive Pro Bowls while recording as least 1,000 yards in every season.
Unfortunately, Chubb suffered a gruesome knee injury just two games into the 2023 season. While he returned to the field in 2024, the once-great back has recorded just 291 yards and three touchdowns on 93 carries (3.1 yards per carry). Chubb recently said he wants to remain with the Cleveland Browns, but the feeling might not be mutual. Now entering his age-30 season, the rebuilding Browns might not want to invest in a player who might not have anything left in his tank. The bloated Deshaun Watson contract means that Cleveland must optimize every last penny, which means Chubb could leave for a team like the Carolina Panthers or Los Angeles Chargers.
Nick Chubb Could Leave Browns As A Free Agent
Carolina Panthers second-round pick Jonathon Brooks cannot shake the injury bug. Despite tearing his ACL in November of 2023, the Panthers felt good enough about his long-term health to justify a top-50 investment. Unfortunately, the running back took longer than expected to make his NFL debut and played in just three games before suffering another torn ACL. Perhaps he can return for the back half of the 2025 season, but Carolina should enter the offseason assuming he won’t be a part of the short-term picture.
Chuba Hubbard has proven he can be a starting-caliber back, but he’s not a true three-down player. The Panthers should add another running back to the picture, and Nick Chubb could be the perfect free agent signing. While he hasn’t done much behind Cleveland’s offensive line, the running back could revitalize his career in Carolina. Signing a one-year deal to re-establish his value makes all the sense in the world for a player who could be even better when further removed from his injury.
Winning on the Ground
Nobody loves the run game more than Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have the right players to execute his vision. J.K. Dobbins is battling injury while free agent signee Gus Edwards has not played up to his draft capital. While the team will probably invest in the position early in a stacked NFL Draft class, the Chargers need a veteran capable of starting right out of the gate.
It’s hard to think of a better fit than Nick Chubb. At his best, Chubb possesses the hard-nosed, downhill style of play that made Frank Gore so dangerous in Harbaugh’s offense during his time with the San Francisco 49ers. Maybe age has caught up to Chubb, but he’s ever going to recapture his old form, it will probably be with the Chargers.
Main Photo: Barry Reeger – USA Today Sports
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