Weeks before the NFL season is set to begin, the football world saw a sudden retirement on Friday night.
Four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb announced on Instagram that he’ll retire from the NFL after eight seasons.
Chubb ranked among the NFL’s best running backs for several seasons, but injuries certainly played a role in a career that ended sooner than many expected.
Nick Chubb’s Statement
“Today’s the day I’ve been avoiding for a while. Twelve-year-old me could never imagine this day, and 30-year-old me is wondering where all the time has gone. I’ve known for some time now, but I’m finally ready to share that I’m done playing football,” Chubb posted.
“I wanted to end my career on a healthy note, along with a winning season, and I was able to do that. At the beginning of this journey, I made many promises to myself. The #1 promise I made was that I would always stay true to who I am and never forget the things that made me, me.
“That promise meant always being the hardest-working person, no matter where I was or what the circumstances were. And that started in Cedartown, Georgia.”
Read his full statement:
Christian McCaffrey Reacts on Social Media
Shortly after Chubb shared the news, he received a plethora of comments and messages from players around the NFL, including San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey.
“Congrats bro. Thanks for all the inspiration,” McCaffrey commented.
George Kittle also commented, writing, “The game will miss you!”
Chubb’s NFL Career
Chubb entered the NFL when the Cleveland Browns drafted him out of Georgia in 2018. He spent seven of his eight seasons with the organization before joining the Houston Texans in 2025 following a brutal knee injury in 2024.
Throughout his career, he played exactly 100 games and recorded 1,462 carries for 7,349 yards and 54 touchdowns while averaging 5.0 yards per carry.
From 2019-2022, the four seasons in which he made the Pro Bowl, Chubb surpassed 1,000 rushing yards and scored at least eight touchdowns each year.
Christian McCaffrey Reacts to Sudden Retirement of 4-Time Pro Bowler