Nov 21, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) is introduced before the game between the Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Former Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb signed a one-year deal with the Houston Texans on Monday.
Chubb, 29, had suffered back-to-back season-ending injuries prior to this latest free agency. Prior to that, he was one of the best running backs in the game and the stalwart that gave Cleveland’s offense life on a weekly basis—regardless of who was playing quarterback.
Chubb was selected with the No. 35 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Ironically, that’s the pick that the Browns received for taking on Brock Osweiler’s contract from the Texans. Chubb’s career has gone full circle, as the former Georgia Bulldog has outperformed what anybody expected him to upon entering the league.
In his career, Chubb is averaging over five yards per carry, although that number dipped to 3.3 yards last season upon his return from a ruptured ACL and MCL suffered at the hands of Minkah Fitzpatrick. He has 51 touchdowns in seven seasons.
The Browns forced Chubb to endure quite a bit of drama. During his rookie campaign, he had a legendary game against the Oakland Raiders where he was only given three attempts in which he ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns. For some reason, Carlos Hyde remained ahead of Chubb on the depth chart until he was traded, paving the way for the rookie to become the bell cow. And he never said a peep, but the production remained consistently excellent.
The drama did not stop there. During his rookie season, head coach Hue Jackson was fired and replaced by Freddie Kitchens, who would be fired just one season later. He had to endure the Myles Garrett helmet swing and suspension, Odell Beckham Jr.’s dad forcing him out of town, Baker Mayfield’s trade drama, Deshaun Watson’s suspension, the COVID-19 pandemic and so many more trivial storylines that he was a consummate professional throughout.
Chubb’s contract with the Texans is worth $2.5 million. He’ll be worth way more than that in leadership and work ethic alone. Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam released a statement upon Chubb’s departure, thanking him for his dedication to the organization and the city, promising and guaranteeing him a spot in Cleveland’s Ring of Honor upon his retirement.
Nearing 30 years old, Chubb will now split a backfield with Joe Mixon. Despite the awesome stats, Chubb shared a backfield with Kareem Hunt for much of his time in Cleveland.
While he has had some big injuries, the snap splits should help him remain productive in Houston on the field. Off the field, the Texans are getting a generational human being that leads by example and will instantly become a fan favorite as the hardest worker in any room that he enters.
