Link:
https://www.brownszone.com/2024/12/...-kareem-hunt-thrive-back-in-kansas-city/A gem from Scott Petrak on Chubb. I deleted a bunch of the copy that pertained to Kareem (sorry KH). You guys will have to trust me on that one.
BEREA — Nick Chubb proved he could make it back to the field.
Then he showed he can still get in the end zone, stand up a blitzer and pick up chunks of yardage if provided room to run.
He’s been through so much in the last 15 months — a grueling rehab after the second reconstruction of his left knee — that with the Browns 3-10 and eliminated from the playoffs, people would understand if he decided to not play the final four games and focus on getting ready for 2025.
Greg Newsome II placed on IR; Kadarius Toney cut; kicker signed to practice squad
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“I have a long way to go before I shut anything down,” Chubb said Wednesday. “Every time I go out there, it’s practice reps, game reps, it’s me just getting better physically, mentally, all around. So I’m nowhere near shutting it down. Not even a thought.”
Chubb returned Oct. 20 and is still trying to regain the form that made him a 1,000-yard rusher and Pro Bowler in each season from 2019-22. He’s shown slight improvements but not the explosion or breakaway speed that made him one of the league’s best running backs.
He’s carried 93 times for 291 yards, a 3.1 average and three touchdowns. He’s measuring the progress in baby steps.
“It’s the small things with me, just simple as breaking a tackle or making the right cut or right read,” he said. “That’s the biggest thing for me right now. But other than that, I do feel better.”
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In the 27-14 loss to the Steelers on Sunday, he rushed 11 times for 48 yards, a 4.4 average. He had a season-long 19-yard run.
“It felt good to get in the open field,” Chubb said. “Obviously it’s been awhile since I’ve done that off a run play, but it felt good. Hopefully you can just build on top of that, but have a great challenge this week in the Kansas City Chiefs, but looking forward to getting back.”
The future is uncertain for Chubb beyond the final four games. He’s scheduled to be a free agent in March after agreeing to restructure the final year of his contract for 2024, taking a pay cut to $2.275 million plus incentives.
The decision-makers of the Browns must determine if a second year removed from the injury will allow Chubb to again be a true No. 1 back, how much they’re willing to pay and if they’re willing to lose a favorite of the coaches, players and fans.
Chubb, who will turn 29 on Dec. 27, said it’s important for him to finish his career with the Browns, adding there have been no discussions about an extension.
“I started here. I’d like to finish here,” he said. “Cleveland just means a lot to me. Everything we’ve been through, ups and downs...”
Nick Chubb selected Browns’ Ed Block Courage Award recipient
Then Monday he was announced as the team’s Ed Block Courage Award nominee for his fight to return.
“It means a lot,” he said. “Obviously my teammates thought of me to win the award and just thinking back to all the rehab process, everything I’ve been through, I couldn’t have done it without my teammates, my coaches, the city of Cleveland, everyone around me.”
