Myles Garrett: 3 Cleveland Browns who should get a new contract next

Nick Chubb

“Contract extension” and “Nick Chubb” can get tricky, fast.

Teams are hesitant to pay big money to running backs, while Chubb a second-round pick, wants to capitalize on the short shelf life backs usually possess.

OK, the deals given to backs such as Christian McCaffrey and Zeke Elliott are more exceptions, than the rule, but with that said, Chubb looks like a special player entering year three.

The Browns would be better off keeping him, even if “you can find a running back anywhere.”

The Browns went a loooong time being allergic to good players and they shouldn’t get back into bad habits.

That said, they can’t crush their salary cap over Chubb, so what gives?

So what’s Chubb worth<

Pro Football Network’s Cory Kinnan concluded the best case for the Browns is to franchise Chubb after his contract is up following the 2021 season, meaning Chubb would be tagged in ’22 and ’23. The franchise tag for a running back heading into 2020 is $10 million.

Chubb, 24, and his agent have to know this is a possibility, so perhaps something could be worked out that keeps Chubb here through his prime. I think of deals the Indians give to their young players, meaning they buy out the first year or two of free agency. Chubb didn’t get the bonus that comes with being a first-round pick and he has to know the risks, meaning that an injury is always around the corner.

Franchising him sounds good, in theory, but you risk alienating the player, a la Le’Veon Bell and the Steelers. Pittsburg won the negation and lost the player.

Chubb’s a sensational player and a team that’s trying to build a culture should want him around. That doesn’t mean pay him like Christian McCaffrey ($16 million annually). With the Browns possessing some leverage in the franchise tag, a deal with some perks front loaded on the deal would be intriguing. It takes two to tango, though, and Chubb hasn’t really discussed his deal, as he’s still two years away from free agency.