Browns, Chubb Agree to Rework Deal

Nick Chubb’s uncertain playing status has forced the Cleveland Browns hand to negotiate an adjusted contract with the star running back.

Chubb and the Browns have come to terms on a restructured deal to alter his base salary of $11.75 million with the opportunity to recoup with incentives, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported on Thursday, according to sources.

Chubb sustained a gruesome knee injury in Week 2 of the 2023 season against their division rival Pittsburgh Steelers on ‘Monday Night Football’, abruptly ending his campaign and putting his NFL future in limbo. It was not Chubb’s first rodeo with a severe knee injury, however, at 28 years-of-age and with a laundry list of injuries considered, many have speculated whether Chubb will be able to return with the same quickness and veracity to get through holes that have seen him climb the ladder into the upper echelon of ball carriers during his six-year NFL career.

Chubb has accumulated 6,511 yards and 48 rushing touchdowns over his tenure in the game, suiting up in 12 or more games in every year except for his last. Without Chubb’s services, the Browns were forced to lean on a make-shift but adequate backfield in 2023, relying on second-year back Jerome Ford, a return of veteran Kareem Hunt, and a sprinkling of speed back Pierre Strong, falling out of the top 10 for rushing yards in the NFL for the first time since the 2019 season.

The Browns have been less than forthcoming, offering sparse, vague updates on Chubb’s progress as he attempts to comeback from the injury, which required two separate procedures to properly repair his torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Some experts have wondered whether the injury and Chubb’s high cap number, $15.825 million in 2024, might lead Cleveland to release the local hero in order to save money on what could end up being a bad investment. Instead, the Browns are looking out for themselves from a financial standpoint by offering Chubb the chance to earn some of his salary back with his performance.

Th first step for Chubb will be to complete his recovery and return to the gridiron. After being caught off guard, almost empty-handed last season, the Browns have prepared accordingly, stockpiling running backs this offseason with the additions of Nyheim Hines and D’Onta Foreman to a room that already includes Chubb, Ford, Strong and John Kelly, bringing their total to six running backs ahead of this month’s draft, which will take place April 25-27, in Detroit Michigan.

Chubb can complete an excellent comeback story worthy of year-end award consideration if he returns to form in 2024. Judging by Wednesday’s news, though, the Browns are not holding their breath and entirely convinced at this point he will do so.