Nick Chubb is hoping to find himself a new home after an injury-plagued finish to his time in Cleveland.
The running back suffered a difficult 2024 season on his return from a serious knee injury suffered in an clash with bitter AFC North rivals Pittsburgh just two weeks into the 2023 season.
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Now 29, the former Browns fan favorite is without a team after being released by Cleveland following his seven-season stay with the franchise.
Free agency came and without Chubb finding a new home, but it looks like interest is picking up pace on a player who was widely regarded as one of the NFL’s most violent runners in his early years.
Ben Johnson’s Chicago Bears are among the teams looking to beef up their offensive weapons and are ready to hand Chubb a chance to impress.
Chubb had four successive 1,000 yard seasons in Cleveland, after a 996-yard rookie campaign.
It was form that earned him a $36.6million three-year deal in 2021, but injuries have hindered him ever since.
He broke his foot against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15 last season, just weeks after a joyous and touchdown scoring return to the field.
It was the latest chapter in a long line of injury heartache over the last couple of years.
Chubb had been the heart and soul of the recent Browns franchise, and his injury against the Chiefs left head coach Kevin Stefanski deflated
“I can’t tell you how much I respect him as a person, what he means to this football team,” Stefanski said.
“So, really, really disappointed about this injury. Does not change the fact that he continues to inspire this football team with how he approaches every single day.
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Back in September 2023, Chubb was carted off the field looking devastated following the injury in a Week 2 defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The running back was hit with a low tackle by Minkah Fitzpatrick and his knee buckled the wrong way.
The television coverage decided not to show replays of the incident because of how bad it looked.
“I’m told the replay of Nick Chubb getting injured is not to be seen,” announcer Joe Buck said at the time.
Chubb remained on the ground for several minutes while his teammates stood around him and prayed.
He was taken off the field and was later confirmed he had suffered a season-ending injury.
Immediate messages of support were sent by stars of the sporting world.
NBA star LeBron James sent a message of support to Chubb that read: “DAMN MAN!!!! Nick Chubb. Praying for the absolute best.”
NFL legend JJ Watt said: “Just the worst feeling. Gutted for Nick Chubb. Hope Minkah is ok. Injuries suck man. They absolutely suck.”
Chubb had suffered a significant injury to the same knee in 2015 while he was at college in Georgia. He suffered a dislocation and three torn ligaments.
This time he suffered a torn ACL and meniscus and required two surgeries.
Now back in action and vowing to be as strong as ever he would offer the Bears a potential third wheel in a backfield aiming to ease the pressure on Caleb Williams, the first overall pick in the 2024 draft who endured a difficult first season.
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A rebuilt offensive line has been put in place, alongside the arrival of Detroit Lions offensive mastermind Johnson as the teams new head coach.
Slotting Chubb in alongside last season’s rushing leader D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson would give Williams a running game to lean into.
Crucially there would be no pressure on Chubb to bear the brunt, with Swift and Johnson able to split duties and give Chub a chance to ease himself back toward his pre-injury production.
