Nick Chubb’s Future Uncertain as Draft Approaches

CLEVELAND, Ohio — As the NFL offseason progresses, uncertainty looms over Nick Chubb‘s career with the Cleveland Browns. After his contract expired following the 2024 season, many speculated that the four-time Pro Bowl running back may have played his final game in the orange and brown.

Chubb, 29, remains a free agent as March draws to a close, which leads some analysts, including Candace Pedraza of Dawg Pound Daily, to believe he may return to the team. “He’s a free agent and former All-Pro running back who has, somehow, not signed with any other team,” Pedraza said. “That feels more and more likely that Chubb will just re-sign with the Browns this offseason.”

Despite his status as a popular fan favorite, Chubb’s recent injury history raises concerns. He suffered a significant knee injury in September 2023 and returned a year later, only to play limited games in 2024 due to a broken foot. In his last season, he managed 332 rushing yards and three touchdowns, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry.

While his lack of contract may be troubling, the Browns may still find common ground with Chubb in the weeks ahead. His potential to revitalize his career with the team he has known his entire professional life remains a possibility.

Parallel to this uncertainty, the Browns face another monumental decision: the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Analysts project various scenarios, including selecting a quarterback or trading down. Gary Davenport from Bleacher Report suggested that the Browns could trade their first-round draft pick to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for the ninth pick, a third-round selection, and a future first-rounder.

Davenport’s reasoning hinges on Cleveland’s potential hesitation about drafting Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, who may not be the team’s preferred option. “It’s hardly a state secret that the Cleveland Browns need a quarterback,” he noted. “But there have been rumblings that the team might not be enamored enough with Sanders.”

Should the Browns choose not to draft Sanders, they could still acquire talent later in the draft, such as Jaxson Dart, who has gained traction as another quarterback prospect.

Cleveland General Manager Andrew Berry commented on the situation at the NFL owners’ meetings in Palm Beach, Florida, stating that trading up to the No. 1 pick is “unlikely.” Berry emphasized that, with the draft’s approach, they remain focused on player assessments and strategies. “Anything is possible,” he remarked, though asserting that a move up may not be in their plans.

With all signs indicating the Tennessee Titans may select Cam Ward at No. 1, the Browns must navigate a critical juncture in their franchise, weighing their options with the second pick while considering the future of one of their most prominent players, Nick Chubb.