Eric Metcalf says Cleveland Browns should extend Nick Chubb

Former Cleveland Browns star Eric Metcalf was a guest on the ‘Matt Lombardo Show’ and spoke about Nick Chubb and says he should be extended now

One of the more exciting players in Cleveland Browns history recently took some time to discuss the current stat of the team, and he seems to like what he sees. Eric Metcalf, who was a running back and return man for Cleveland from 1989 through 1994 was a guest on the ‘Matt Lombardo Show’ and gave his opinion on Cleveland’s running back stable.

Metcalf, who split time with Earnest Byner in 1994, appreciates what the Browns have in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt — and was asked by Matt Lombardo what he would do with the current stable.

Unsurprisingly, Metcalf praised both players and he said that while Hunt is already signed, he would go ahead and lock up Chubb now as well.

"Eric Metcalf: “Kareem’s already signed, but if it’s me, I’m taking care of Nick Chubb right now. Because, this offense goes how he goes. Granted, you have Kareem who is also a starter in this league, but Nick is the guy when you talk about ground-and-pound. When he gets back there, defenses know that they have to load up against him to stop the run, and that’s when the passing game opens up for Baker Mayfield. If it’s me, I’m taking care of him right now.”"

Chubb, a former second-round pick is entering the final season of his rookie deal meaning he would be a free agent next year if Cleveland doesn’t elect to re-sign him. As for Hunt, he was given a two-year extension keeping him with the team through the 2022 season.

While Hunt is a former NFL rushing leader, Chubb is undoubtedly the lead dog in the Browns rotation. In three seasons, he has 3,557 yards and 28 touchdowns — and even topped the 1,000-yard mark in 2020 despite missing four games due to a knee injury.

He won’t be cheap but he’s clearly the focal point of the offense. And with that being the case, Lombardo was able to ask about the fact that Cleveland is a bit of a throwback team in that they are a run-first team in a pass-happy NFL.

A two-part question, Lombardo also asked if Metcalf believed the team should look at moving Hunt for another piece since they have Chubb.

"Eric Metcalf: “I think when all is said and done, you can’t win unless you can run. Everyone thinks it’s a pass-happy league. But, the bottom line is, teams are running the ball when they need to.” He later added, “I think you have to have that dominant running game and you need to be able to stop the run.”"

Oddly enough, a video made the rounds on Twitter Friday from former Alabama head coach Nick Saban who was saying that the game has evolved from the defensive-minded teams that run the ball like crazy. Saban talked about how he had to change his way of thinking since teams score so quickly nowadays.

That makes it interesting to see what Metcalf says, who mentions dominant run games and stopping the run being key. Of course, there will always be a place for teams that can control the ball with the clock but there needs to be a balance.

Metcalf is a player who truly understands this as well. While he was a running back, he also could break a game open with his skills as a return man. Not only that, but he was a skilled receiver who moved to the position full-time with the Atlanta Falcons and had 1,189 yards and eight touchdowns on 104 receptions.

As fun as Metcalf was to watch, current fans probably like his idea of extending Chubb just as much as the older generation enjoyed seeing No. 21 take a kick to the house.