Nick Chubb’s playing career is over, but the Cleveland Browns are already planning to bring him home.
Browns executive JW Johnson indicated that the franchise intends to reunite with Chubb and allow the four-time Pro Bowler to officially retire with the team. Johnson made the comments during the Browns’ pregame show ahead of Saturday’s preseason matchup with the Buffalo Bills.
“Hell of a career. We’re excited to get him back here and have him retire as a Brown, as he rightfully should,” Johnson said. “Nick, if you’re watching and listening, we’re excited to get you back here as a Brown.”
Johnson did not offer a timeline or reveal whether the Browns plan to sign Chubb to a ceremonial one-day contract. However, his message made it clear that the franchise wants Chubb’s career to end where it started.
Chubb announced his retirement on Friday after eight NFL seasons. The 30-year-old spent seven years with Cleveland before finishing his career with the Houston Texans.
Nick Chubb Remained a Brown at Heart
Chubb’s departure from Cleveland was emotional but amicable. The Browns allowed Chubb to leave in free agency after selecting running backs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson in the draft. Chubb subsequently signed a one-year deal with Houston, rushing for 506 yards in 15 games.
Despite wearing another uniform for his final season, Chubb never distanced himself from Cleveland. He closed his retirement announcement with: “Till the day that I die, it will always be: GO DAWGS. GO BROWNS!!!”
Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam also made it clear when Chubb left that his place in franchise history was secure.
“We want to take this opportunity to thank Nick Chubb for all he’s done for the Cleveland Browns,” the Haslams said in a statement following his departure. “For the last seven years, Nick gave everything he had to our fans, this organization and this city. He always represented our team as the consummate professional and in a manner that showed his passion and love for the game of football.
“Nick always puts winning above any personal accolade, and that is what makes him so special,” the Haslams said. “Thank you for being a Brown, Nick, and we look forward to the day we celebrate your career as a member of our Ring of Honor.”
Nick Chubb Left His Mark on Browns History
The Browns selected Chubb with the No. 35 overall pick in the 2018 draft. He immediately emerged as one of the league’s most productive running backs, finishing just a few yards short of a 1,000-yard season as a rookie.
Chubb then produced four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons from 2019 through 2022, earning a Pro Bowl selection each year. His best season came in 2022, when he rushed for a career-high 1,525 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Chubb’s career changed when he suffered a devastating knee injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023. Chubb underwent two surgeries but returned the following season, scoring a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals in his first game back after an on-field absence that lasted more than a year.
Chubb finished his Browns career with 6,843 rushing yards and 51 touchdowns on 1,340 carries. He ranks third in franchise history in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, trailing only Hall of Famers Jim Brown and Leroy Kelly in each category.
He finished his NFL career with 7,349 rushing yards, 54 rushing touchdowns and a 5.0-yard average.
Browns Tease Nick Chubb Return After Announcement