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Nick Chubb Makes Decision on Free Agency After Disappointing Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ben Weinrib | Last updated Feb 25, 2025 3:00 PM ET

Nick Chubb did not have the 2024 season he was hoping for with the Cleveland Browns, and it could be the final season he plays with the only NFL team he's ever known.

After missing the first six games of the season while recovering from a 2023 torn MCL, Chubb only totalled 332 yards on 102 carries across eight games before suffering a broken foot that prematurely ended his season. Not only was his 3.3 yards per carry a career-worst mark, it was also his only season with less than five yards per carry.

Made worse was the fact that this was a contract year. And at the NFL scouting combine on Tuesday, Browns general manager Andrew Berry said that he expects Chubb to hit the open market rather than reach a new deal.

#Browns Andrew Berry expects Nick Chubb to hit the free agent market: pic.twitter.com/aH2XBMQ1tF
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) February 25, 2025

"We do expect Nick to hit the market," Berry said. "Obviously, his contract is up this year. We'll meet with his reps and everything like that. But it's something that obviously we need to work on over the next couple of weeks."

Technically the Browns have until March 4 to extend a franchise tag, but that seems unlikely at this point. The franchise tag is $13,979,000 for running backs, and transition tags are $11,101,000, which are far more than he'd reasonably expect on the open market.

But despite the injuries and lack of recent production, Chubb remains perhaps the most talented running back in this upcoming free agent class. He'll play the marjority of this season at age 29 and rushed for 1,525 yards in his most recent healthy campaign three years ago.

Other notable free agent running backs include Aaron Jones, Raheem Mostert, Najee Harris, A.J. Dillon, Javonte Williams, and J.K. Dobbins.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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