Nick Chubb just signed a new extension with the Cleveland Browns and despite his young age, he’s already climbing the team’s record books
A lot can happen during a cross country flight and I had that experience recently as I learned, after landing back in good old Ohio the other day from Seattle, Washington that Nick Chubb, the Cleveland Browns dynamic running back had agreed to a three-year contract extension paying him $36 million. What a pleasant surprise, as I believe we are witnessing one of the best running backs to play for the Browns in their history.
I’ve read a lot about the immediate impact this means for the Browns in keeping Chubb in Cleveland for the next several years and that’s all excellent news. What I’m even more excited to witness though for Chubb, is just how far up the ladder, of previous Cleveland Browns running backs in their franchise history, can he climb past.
From all accounts, Chubb is a rather reserved individual who does his talking on the field. He doesn’t always get the spotlight on a Browns team filled with stars, most notably quarterback Baker Mayfield, and wide receiver star Odell Beckham Jr.
But Chubb doesn’t seem to be bothered by any of that extra fame. Rather he’s always about the grind, the hard work, and sweat that a football player destined for greatness exudes. Almost quietly, Chubb has become a fan favorite and now with him signing his new contract keeping him here with the hard-working people of Northeastern Ohio, his folktale aura will grow.
Maybe because of his temperament, many fans, and even analysts of the team, have somewhat overlooked what Chubb has accomplished so far wearing the orange and brown. That’s probably fine with Chubb too but when you do start checking out the actual numbers you will be in for a big surprise.
Not only is Chubb a good running back but he’s now entering an era in his career where he could very easily blow away previous great Brown’s running backs accomplishments and be left alone at the top part of the leader board with only, the greatest of them all, a one Jim Brown, holding that top spot.
The leader board
The leader board of Browns top running backs is obviously lead by Jim Brown who totaled 12,312 yards in 9 seasons and 118 games in the regular season with the Browns. The far distant second place member is Leroy Kelly who played with Brown for a couple of seasons before taking over the main running duties when Jim Brown retired in 1966. He finished with 7,274 yards rushing over 136 games in the regular season.
Chubb is now running in 7th place, with 3,557 yards rushing as he bolted by Earnest Byner, the Browns talented running back from 1984-1995. Byner had 3,364 yards rushing with the Browns. Byner gained that yardage with 862 carries while Chubb has only carried the ball 680 times.
Between Kelly and Chubb, stand Browns greats Mike and Greg Pruitt, Kevin Mack, and Marion Motley. All of these runners played extensively with the Browns in their careers and in more than 99 games each. Kelly played in 136 games in his Browns’ career.
When you recognize this important tidbit and then look and see that Chubb has accomplished his rushing yards total of 44 games then you’re eyes might get bigger all of sudden and you might shout out a “wow” statement as you come to realize Chubb is already a special running back not only for our Browns but in the NFL.
The number 44
Maybe at this point, you’re sitting down after this shocking news. It’s not like you don’t like Chubb as a running back, but many analysts that cover the Browns and the NFL apparently think that Chubb is some ordinary back and that he can be replaced like your typical average runner.
Some have tried to suggest that the NFL is a pass-happy league and the need for a running back to grind and do the dirty work wasn’t necessary to win and win a Super bowl. And yes, maybe they’re right for some other teams but not the Cleveland Browns and Nick Chubb.
In 44 games Chubb has already climbed the tall ladder of Browns runners on the 7th step from the top and he’s primed to jump over the others sooner than you think. Motley stands at 6th on the ladder with 4712 yards gained. Mack has 5,123 yards gained in the 5th place spot. With an excellent season, Chubb could potentially catch Mack. Regardless, Chubb will catch both these players by next season, barring a major injury.
If you were to just project Chubb playing over the next four seasons, that’s 68 more games, based on his current rate of 81 yards per game he’ll easily pass all but the biggest star in Jim Brown. With his current totals of just over 3,500 yards now and adding in the projected additional yardage, around 5,500 yards, that would place him second at 9,000 yards.
Now I know at this point some of you skeptics will argue that running backs get injured and the game has changed and there’s no way Chubb gets those projected totals. And we know, things happen. I get that, but Chubb hasn’t gotten his due yet and it’s about time folks start really respecting what we are witnessing.
Generational player
Chubb is a generational player. We won’t see another Nick Chubb for quite some time. Jim Brown was a generational player and has ended up probably being considered the greatest running back of all time. Brown and Chubb are the only two Browns running backs to start their first three seasons with over 996 yards gained each season. None of the other ranked Brown’s running backs above Chubb had such a great start in their careers
I believe it’s time to start watching Chubb through a different lens.
Chubb is all about the team. First and foremost. He doesn’t get rattled. He grinds and plays to the whistle.
While we all debate what value to place on the running game in the NFL, Chubb will be doing what he has done day in and day out and that’s just go out and play football and try to win the next one.
Yes, other football players play the game the same way Chubb does with that hard-nosed attitude, but Chubb has that additional special quality that makes him, not just good in the NFL but great because he is so gifted as a running back. His instincts and uncanny ability to read a defense and his feel for the game all give him an advantage over most players.
We are all witnesses. If I were you, I’d start watching Chubb with a bit more reverence. It might be meaningful to you years from now when you talk about Nick Chubb in some of the same ways you’ve talked about the best Brown’s running backs of the past.
Chubb is steady, tough, and a Cleveland Brown. Enjoy that Brown’s faithful.