Could a 30-Year-Old Four-Time Pro Bowl Running Back Return to the Cleveland Browns in 2026?
Former Cleveland Browns running back and current hometown fan favorite Nick Chubb made a few local headlines this week. Chubb spoke to the media on Thursday as part of a panel discussion on behalf of University Hospital’s annual SportsLand event alongside Browns’ head physician Dr. James Voos, who operated on the running back’s knee in 2023. The injury, sustained on a Monday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023 on a bad tackle from safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, has forever haunted Cleveland’s fanbase and has sent the former Georgia Bulldog’s career on a downward spiral. That season was either the best or the second-best Browns team the league has seen since they returned to action in 1999, and Cleveland went 11-6 and made the NFL Playoffs without Chubb for their last 15 games. Had ‘Batman’ stayed healthy, Cleveland’s offense would have been undoubtedly better, and both the fans and Chubb know this, as the 30-year-old told those in attendance that 2023 “would have been our year” without an injury to his knee.
The nature of the discussion changed from reminiscing on what could have been to what could happen this offseason. When asked about possibly returning to Cleveland, Chubb was very open to it, saying, “You never know what could happen.” The move would instantly throw a bone to the ‘Dawg Pound’ fan base, which has been in constant clash with the front office for years. Although he spent last season with the Houston Texans, gathering just 506 yards and three touchdowns on 122 carries, Chubb is still nothing short of sports royalty in Cleveland. In seven seasons with the Browns, two of which were stifled due to injuries, Chubb ran for 6,843 yards and 51 touchdowns. From 2019 to 2022, the four-time Pro Bowler was always listed as one of the league’s best running backs alongside the likes of Derrick Henry and Jonathan Taylor, as he averaged 1,336 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns, and over five yards per carry during this four-season stretch. In terms of team history, Chubb holds the record for the longest rushing touchdown in Browns history with a 92-yard run during a game against the Atlanta Falcons in his rookie season, and is third in all-time career rushing yards with Cleveland behind Hall of Famers Jim Brown and Leroy Kelly.
Obviously, ‘Big Chubb’ has statistical accomplishments and team accolades that speak for themselves; that’s not a part of the question. It’s just that with two young running backs on the roster, Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson, the fit doesn’t necessarily make sense for a player like Chubb, who could get more carries on a different team. Unfortunately for the Georgia native, he is still a free agent and doesn’t have much of a market to speak of. Beggars can’t be choosers, and that statement is especially true of the NFL, meaning Cleveland’s most appreciated player since returning to the league has the prime opportunity to come back home. The Browns also have a newly revamped offensive line, headlined by the signing of former first-round pick Zion Johnson, meaning the veteran back could be well-protected. Should he want it, and should he understand the limited, mentor-like role he would be playing, general manager Andrew Berry may open the doors for Chubb.
