Jason Burgos
An NFL analyst believes that despite a serious knee injury to Cleveland Browns star Nick Chubb, the organization is likely to make a long-term investment in him that would benefit their salary cap situation in 2024.
During the five seasons before the Browns’ 2023 campaign, Nick Chubb had developed into one of the league’s best running backs. From 2018 to 2022, the former second-round pick earned Pro Bowl honors on four occasions and hit new high points two years ago when he earned career highs in yards (1,525) and touchdowns (12).
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Unfortunately, his 2023 season ended after just two games when a nasty knee injury not only derailed his chance to go to a fifth straight Pro Bowl but also put some doubt on the long-term outlook of his career. The 28-year-old has had to undergo two different surgeries in 2023 to properly repair his torn ACL and MCL. Yet, despite concerns about his future, Cleveland could lock him up to a new long-term contract.
ESPN NFL insider predicts Cleveland Browns give Nick Chubb a long-term extension this offseason
Over the weekend, ESPN NFL analyst Aaron Schatz made a bold offseason prediction about the Cleveland Browns as they look to improve on a better-than-expected 11-6 record this past season, despite injuries season-ending injuries to Chubb and Deshaun Watson in 2023-24.
“Despite questions about his return from a knee injury, the Browns will sign Chubb to an extension which will allow them to keep him past the 2024 season, while also lowering his cap charge to help the Browns get under the number. A big running back contract may surprise some coming from the analytically forward Browns, but advanced analytics generally portray Chubb as one of the few running backs who truly makes a difference.”
– ESPN’s Aaron Schatz
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It would be a very surprising decision considering the decreasing value of running backs in the NFL and how serious Chubb’s injury was last year. However, that may also help them get a team-friendly deal, and if he can return to form he is, arguably, the best running back in the league and could get better if he becomes a pass-catching threat. Which he worked heavily on in training camp last year.
