Browns Insider Foreshadows Next Era of Cleveland Running Backs

The Cleveland Browns had to say goodbye to a franchise legend this offseason, and while the separation is unofficial, the writing is on the wall.

The Nick Chubb era is over. At some point, Chubb’s injuries and recent ineffectiveness made it increasingly clear that the next good Browns team would have a new stable of running backs.

Jerome Ford will be a holdover. He ran the show for Cleveland at a far more efficient clip than Chubb last season, and figures to remain a part of the team’s plans in 2025. He’ll be joined by two rookies.

Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot foreshadowed the plan to replace Chubb with rookies Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson.

“I asked [Quinshon] Judkins about filling those shoes of Nick Chubb today,” Cabot said for Cleveland.com. “And I thought he gave a great answer where he said he wants to create his own legacy and I think he will.”

Judkins and Sampson are complementary. Judkins is more polished, a consistent between-the-tackles rusher whose technique and strength make him an early-down aficionado. Sampson, meanwhile, projects to be the passing-down back whose explosiveness stands out.

The main goal of a revamped rushing attack is to take the heat off a passing offense that’s bound to struggle. By creating explosive plays where they couldn’t and keeping the offense ahead of schedule, the Browns can make a bad situation a little better.

A secondary impact could be the cultural comeback Cleveland so desperately needs.

“I think they’re going to get back to Cleveland Browns, AFC North, ram it down your throat football,” Cabot said. “And I think one of them is going to be the bruiser in Quinshon. The other one’s going to be your home run hitter. Thunder and lightning, the Brown’s own version of thunder and lightning.”

The Browns made an organizational decision when they traded down from No. 2. Instead of investing on the perimeter (twice) with a Travis Hunter selection with the second pick, they traded down, adding more capital while adding to the front seven.

That’s a decision baked in embracing physicality. And it’s one a two-back class emphasizes.

“You can sense and feel that it’s a new day in the Browns running game and these guys have, as we talked about, some great personalities,” Cabot said. “They’ve got some energy.”