Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers are about to lose a free agent they were very interested in signing this offseason.
A potential free agent target of the Pittsburgh Steelers is about to be taken off the market. Former Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb is expected to sign with the Houston Texans on Monday, pending a physical, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport.
The Steelers were reportedly “very much interested” in their AFC North rival’s lead back in February but nothing ever materialized.
It could be because Pittsburgh wanted to focus its attention on the 2025 NFL Draft first and then have Chubb as a backup plan. If that was the case, it makes sense the team passed on the 29-year-old as it landed a promising rookie running back in Kaleb Johnson in the third round (No. 83 overall).
Chubb would have come at a big risk, too. In just the second game of the 2023 season, he suffered a serious season-ending injury to the same knee he injured in 2015, and he looked far from himself last season as he ran for just 332 yards (3.3 yards per carry) and three touchdowns in eight games.
Chubb had been a very reliable running back throughout the first five years of his NFL career, posting four straight seasons with at least 1,000 rushing yards from 2019-22.
However, it seems his best days are now behind him. Before 2024, Chubb had never averaged less than five yards per carry in a season.
The Browns had discussions with Chubb prior to the NFL Draft, but they ultimately felt it was time to move on. Cleveland then drafted two running backs — Quinshon Judkins in the second round (No. 36) and Dylan Sampson in the fourth round (No. 126) — to pair with former fifth-round pick Jerome Ford in its backfield.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: AFC Contender Expected to Sign Steelers Free Agent Target
