Dawgs By Nature
Nick Chubb’s Browns career ended poorly but was ready to end
Life is filled with making tough decisions. We all make them. Is it always the right thing to do in the moment? No, but it’s sometimes the best decision in the long run.
When Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry was noncommittal about bringing back running back Nick Chubb, it was a foreshadowing of what everyone should’ve seen coming. Chubb is Texas-bound, having signed with the Houston Texans. Browns fans everywhere are devastated (as they should be), but it shouldn’t be considered a surprise.
In fact, it was obvious and logical, especially since Chubb wanted to play for a contender:
Berry has been the poster boy of criticism, but the Chubb situation has been full of clear communication. Back in February at the Scouting Combine, Berry told reporters that he expected Chubb to test the open market before free agency began. Throughout the process, Chubb’s market didn’t materialize the way many thought it would, but considering how he was coming off a devastating knee injury two years ago and broke his foot last season, you could see why not many teams were willing to sign him.
There is no doubt that Cleveland and Chubb talked throughout the free agency period, but it got to a point where the sides couldn’t come to an agreement when it came to the money aspect.
The NFL is a business, and sometimes it can be cruel.
It was clear that the Browns were looking for upgrades to the running back room, considering how non-productive the room was last season. With the running back free agent market being lackluster, Cleveland had little to no options there.
Fast forward to the NFL Draft, Browns decided to draft two running backs in Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins and Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson. Young and cheap.
Then, enter Jerome Ford.
Ford agreeing to a pay cut closed the door shut on any chance that Chubb returned. Ford is likely going to be relegated to special teams duty, and Chubb isn’t someone who is a special teams player. Chubb is more of a rotational back in his career at this time, and it wouldn’t be possible for him to get carries with two rookies ahead of him.
While it does hurt that Chubb won’t be in Cleveland this year, we shouldn’t be surprised that it was trending towards that all offseason. Now, the Browns and their former star back both get to pursue their goals, just separate from each other.
