The Cleveland Browns have long had a running game that was the envy of the entire NFL.
That came to an end on a dark night in Pittsburgh in 2023 when running back Nick Chubb suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Since then, the Browns have struggled to run the ball in the dominant fashion they had grown accustomed to.
General manager Andrew Berry looked to address the issue in the 2025 NFL Draft with the selection of running backs Dylan Sampson and Quinshon Judkins. The selections appeared to be solid moves, as Sampson (Tennessee) and Judkins (Mississippi) both had success in the SEC, the nation’s top football conference, positioning them well for the AFC North Division.
With the opening of the 2025 regular season less than three weeks away, the situation has not gone exactly as planned.
Sampson has rushed just two times for six yards in the preseason, while Judkins remains unsigned after dealing with a legal issue in Florida.
Now comes a report from The Athletic’s Dianna Russini that the Browns are now making calls around the league looking for a running back.
A few of the players that have been rumored to be available include:
Given their recent trade history with the Houston Texans, Berry could always give them a call and see about bringing Chubb back to Cleveland, which would certainly be a move favored by the fan base.
There will be considerable speculation in the coming days as teams work to cut their rosters to the initial 53-player limit by Tuesday at 4 p.m.
Whether or not the Browns move beyond the “rumored or reported” stage of making a deal remains to be seen.
If the Browns make a move for a running back, who would you like to see them go after? Or are you comfortable with the current situation?