Was Signing D'Onta Foreman An Insurance Policy On Nick Chubb?

Foreman is a powerful runner who best excels in short yardage situations. The bruising 235 pound back ran for 425 yards and four touchdowns in nine games with the Chicago Bears last season.

In 2023, Jerome Ford stepped up as the feature running back for Cleveland in the absence of Chubb. In short yardage or goal-to-go situations, however, Kareem Hunt was the one getting his number called.

At the very least the addition of Foreman confirms the belief that Hunt will likely not receiver a call next season in an emergency situation, despite helping ease the pain of Chubb's loss last season. Foreman will perfectly replace Hunt's short yardage production in the event that Ford is asked to serve as the feature back to start the season.

Foreman does not offer any value in the passing game. That's where Ford and the newly acquired third down receiving back Nyheim Hines will come into play. 

Hines is likely to assume the team's kick returner role, while also serving as a change of pace back on third down next season.

If Chubb misses time, I expect that the construction of the running back room to look very similar to the one we saw for the vast majority of 2023. The only way that changes is if Cleveland selects a running back early in the draft.

Even when Chubb puts his pads back on, the Browns may be smart to give him a pitch count rather than supply him with a heavy workload immediately.