Nick Chubb’s Eventual Replacement: Browns Find Worthy Successor
It’s time to have an uncomfortable conversation that everyone was hoping could be put off for another year or two. Nick Chubb has been an extremely valuable member of the Cleveland Browns since being drafted back in 2018, and his contributions during his time with the franchise will not be forgotten.
However, the time has now come for the Browns to bring in the next primary running back by finding his replacement.
This is not a popular suggestion by any means, and it may be a harsh reality for some to accept, but Chubb’s time as an elite running back is likely over. The former Georgia Bulldog was averaging just 3.3 yards per carry this season and 41.5 yards per game before his season came to an end in Week 15’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, both career lows.
Chubb’s 1.7 yards before contact this season is also the lowest mark of his career and seems to be an indicator of him hitting the proverbial running back wall.
A drop-off in effectiveness was somewhat expected for Chubb, considering his season-ending injury from last season and the fact it was the second MCL tear in his career and third MCL injury overall (Chubb sprained his MCL during the 2020 season).
At some point, these types of injuries add up, and the result is not pretty. It is incredibly difficult for anyone to overcome multiple severe injuries to one body part, much less the knee of an NFL running back.
Now, some will place the blame for Chubb’s decline this season solely on the offensive line. Granted, the offensive line’s poor play is not helping matters, but not accounting for Chubb’s own part in his performance would be negligent.
