Browns RB Nick Chubb’s Contract: What it means now and for the future

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb is out for the season and won’t be back in uniform until at least 2024, that much is known. It isn’t talked about much right now since the injury just happened, but the Browns are going to have decisions to make with Chubb due to his contract. Thankfully for […]

Brandon Little — Ohio State Buckeyes & Cleveland Browns News Writer

Sep 20, 2023 12:27 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb is out for the season and won’t be back in uniform until at least 2024, that much is known.

It isn’t talked about much right now since the injury just happened, but the Browns are going to have decisions to make with Chubb due to his contract.

Thankfully for Chubb, his $10.85 million is guaranteed this season since he is a vested player in the NFL. Once Week 1 began, the money became guaranteed.

Going forward, the serious injury to Chubb makes his contract tricky. Cleveland can get out of his contract following the season with just a $4 million cap hit in 2024. Chubb does not reach free agency until following the 2024 season but has no guaranteed money after this season.

For 2024, if the Browns keep Chubb around and he’s able to recover and step on the field again, he will be a $15.8 million cap hit to the Browns. That number is up from $14.85 million this season.

With no guaranteed money after next season and this serious injury, it would be hard to see Chubb be willing to play next season without a new deal. For Cleveland to give him that, they would have to feel great about where his recovery is. With this being the second time he’s blown out the same knee, that is hard to see. The Browns would be smart to let Chubb play out next season, just not sure if he’d be willing to do so. For the amount of cash he is making next year, he may for the fact that his NFL years are numbered.

Chubb is in his sixth season and is undoubtedly one of the best running backs in the game. How well Jerome Ford plays for the Browns this year may dictate what the team decides to do going forward.

There is a real chance that we have seen the last of Chubb in a Browns uniform. Cleveland could run forward with Ford as the guy if he proves he’s capable enough, or they could go get another back in the draft or free agency. The cap hit next year is large for a guy coming off of this serious of an injury and it’s not his first one.

First and foremost, you hope Chubb makes a full recovery for his life, and not just the game of football. If he can play at a high level like he has in years past, it would be a miraculous comeback.

Chubb is a fan favorite in Cleveland just like he was at Georgia in college. Fans want to see him stick around and he’s a great person too. Cleveland is going to have a really hard decision to make next offseason one way or the other, if Chubb doesn’t make it for them.