Browns give star RB security following significant injury

Star running back Nick Chubb's future with the Browns was uncertain after suffering a significant knee injury in Week 2 last season, but he and the team found a fair solution on Thursday.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Cleveland and Chubb agreed to a reworked deal for 2024 that will lower his base salary of $11.75 million with a chance to earn it back in incentives.

Chubb's new contract gives the Browns immediate salary cap relief while giving him the security he needs coming off yet another serious knee injury in his football career.

The 28-year-old has a bit of a lengthy injury history, which had many wondering if he was going to be able to return to the same level of play.

However, it makes sense that the Browns want to bring Chubb back to play for them. In 2023, Cleveland was forced to mix and match running backs Jerome Ford, Kareem Hunt and Pierre Strong to help fill his void.

The three did a fine job, but without Chubb, the team fell out of the top 10 in rushing yards in the NFL for the first time since the 2019 season.

Only time will tell if Chubb returns to being in the upper echelon of running backs, but the Browns seem committed to giving him the opportunity to do so, and why wouldn't they?

Over the past six seasons, Chubb has been one of the best running backs in the league, rushing for 6,511 yards and 48 touchdowns.

If he doesn't, however, Cleveland is prepared after signing veteran running backs Nyheim Hines and D'Onta Foreman in free agency.

The most important takeaway from Chubb's reworked contract is that his final snap as a Brown won't be suffering his knee injury. It's unclear when exactly he'll return to the field, but Cleveland is giving respect to one of the league's most respected players.