Former Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb has a new home, as he was signed by the Houston Texans today. The four-time Pro Bowler agreed to a one-year $2.5 million deal worth up to $5 million.
Chubb was selected 35th overall in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft and has rushed for 6,843 yards and 51 touchdowns. He joins a running back room that features Joe Mixon, Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale, and Woody Marks.
While one important Browns player departed in the offseason with Chubb officially joining the Texans today, one important piece to the Browns stayed when defensive end Myles Garrett got a four-year, $160 million contract extension.
Garrett, being one of the leaders of the team, apparently wanted the team to retain Chubb this offseason. According to sources, during Garrett’s negotiations with the team, he requested the Browns to re-sign Chubb. They elected not to.
While Chubb is ready to join his new team, he never wanted to leave Cleveland, as per the Akron Beach Journal, he wanted to retire as a Brown. Even in the off-season when Myles Garrett trade rumors circulated, Chubb still spoke about playing together as a team and didn’t view things hypothetically.
“It’s part of the game, part of the business, so you get used to it,” Chubb told the Akron Beacon Journal. “But at the end of the day, I think everyone, personally, just wants to be there for his boys. I think it’s deeper than just business, it’s a brotherhood.”
Part of the business is also leaving the team that drafted you. While it is ideal for some to end their career with the team that drafted them, that’s not always the case, and oftentimes isn’t the case in the football world.
Chubb was extremely productive for the Browns. In seven seasons, he rushed for at least 1,000 yards four times and was four yards shy one season. He’s also rushed for eight touchdowns or more in five seasons. With a career yards per carry average of 5.1, Chubb is an extremely productive running back when healthy. But that’s a big if.
Chubb is at the point of his career where the injuries are catching up to him and taking a toll. He suffered a season-ending injury in Week 2 of the 2023 season (torn ACL, damaged MCL) and began the 2024 season on injured reserve. Chubb then suffered a season-ending broken foot injury towards the end of the season after playing in eight games.
It’s safe to say his injuries were a big part of the Browns moving on from him and the Texans getting him on a cheap deal.
