Cleveland Browns are left weighing their options following the devastating season-ending knee injury to running back Nick Chubb.

Chubb took a low hit from Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and the rest was history. 

While it seems like a long shot, running back Jonathan Taylor has an ongoing trade request with the Indianapolis Colts that is still valid. Therefore, he is the big name that folks will immediately turn their thoughts to when it comes to Cleveland figuring out what to do with Chubb out for the season.

Taylor is currently on the physically unable to perform list with the Colts after a failed physical, though there are questions around if there is a legit injury, or if it’s a deploy by Taylor and his camp.

Right now, it is a long shot for the Browns to be the one due to the fact that Taylor wants a new contract near the top of the running back market somewhere. For Cleveland to make such a move, they would have to believe Chubb will never be the same again after blowing out the same knee twice in eight seasons. At Georgia in 2015, Chubb dislocated his knee and tore three ligaments.

It was a miracle for Chubb to reach the level of play he’s at today following that injury. The four Pro Bowl nods in five seasons played is no easy feat.

There is no guaranteed money on Chubb’s deal after this season, so Cleveland could get out from under the contract before he is a free agent in 2025 if they need to. The Browns would need to shift the $12 million APY into a deal that would pay Taylor somewhere north of $13 million APY.

Taylor is an All-Pro level back who had 1,811 rushing yards in 2021, which led the league. The Wisconsin product played in just 11 games last season but still had 861 yards on the ground. Taylor brings the ability to be a factor in the pass-catching game as well.

The Colts are holding out on giving him a new contract because they want him to play it out one more year and let the market gauge his value next offseason. With the way that running backs are currently being paid, it doesn’t seem to be something that Taylor and his camp would like to do. With Taylor struggling with ankle injuries in 2022, there may be some worth on his health long-term, too.

Giving out a hefty contract is something that Cleveland likely shuts away from, for now, they just saw their bell-cow back go down with a nasty injury. Currently, quarterback Deshaun Watson is playing like a bottom-five player at his position in the NFL, so the cost is hurting there too.

In terms of compensation, the Colts are searching for a first or second-round draft pick, as well as a young promising player at a position of need, Destin Adams of A to Z Sports tells me. Cleveland would ideally give up their second-round pick in 2024 and either wide receiver Cedric Tillman, or cornerback Greg Newsome II for Taylor in a trade. The Browns do not have a first-round pick in 2024 by trading Watson.

Currently, the Browns are set to roll with Jerome Ford as the No. 1 running back, someone they’re high on in his second season. Ford went over 100 yards rushing in the Week 2 loss to the Steelers. The thought is that the Browns could add depth behind him and that certainly wouldn’t be where Taylor fits.

But you can’t count out the Browns from making the big trade. They shocked the entire NFL landscape when they gave up a haul for Watson and a record-setting contract. Going forward, it is a bit unpredictable in terms of what they’ll do. Owner Jimmy Haslam and general manager Andrew Berry aren’t scared to add talent.

Don’t expect the Browns to make a splash trade for Taylor from the Colts, but don’t rule it out completely, or you could be as shocked as you were when they landed Watson

Free agent running backs the Browns could look to sign following injury to Nick Chubb

Cleveland could look to make a move following the tragic event.

Featured image via Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.