Former Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb remains one of the most high-profile players left on the free-agent market.
Chubb has spent all seven years of his NFL career with the Browns, but he figures to land in a new home in 2025, especially after Cleveland drafted a pair of backs in Quinshon Judkins (second round) and Dylan Sampson (fourth round).
Once considered one of the best running backs in the league, the four-time Pro Bowler has been slowed by injuries the last few years, and when he was on the field in 2024, he did not look like himself.
That could be a sign of decline, but it’s also reasonable to think Chubb’s showing was a result of him coming off a major knee injury.
With Chubb likely done in Cleveland, one analyst thinks he could get his next shot with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Curt Popejoy of Steelers Wire wants to see Pittsburgh sign Chubb before training camp, which would absolutely make Browns fans sick.
“Chubb is working hard to make a comeback and if he’s healthy, would be the most talented running back on the roster,” Popejoy wrote. “Pittsburgh is committed to running the football in 2025 and Chubb, along with Jaylen Warren and Kaleb Johnson, would make a formidable trio.”
After suffering a brutal knee injury in 2023, Chubb worked his way back onto the field in 2024 but once again suffered a significant injury, this time to his foot.
However, based on a recent video, Chubb looks like he’s going to be fully healthy for 2025.
The Steelers’ running backs room was strengthened with the draft pick of Kaleb Johnson, but there’s no telling what the rookie will provide in Year 1.
Along with their third-round pick, the Steelers have Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell, but both are best suited as complementary backs. There’s also Cordarrelle Patterson, but he may not even stay on the roster through the offseason.
Chubb would offer a much-needed established veteran presence who can be an insurance policy for Pittsburgh. Granted, Chubb is no guarantee, but he’d at least provide more competition for Johnson, Warren and Gainwell, and he could win Pittsburgh’s starting job outright.
Spotrac estimates that Chubb will land a one-year, $3.3 million deal. At that cheap price, Chubb would amount to a low-risk signing that makes total sense for Pittsburgh.
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