Browns: 3 reasons the Nick Chubb signing was a great thing
By Chad Porto
He’s the best pure runner in the game
The Browns have locked up arguably the best pure-runner in all of the NFL. While he’s not Christian McCaffery or Alvin Kamura with their duality and versatility as playmakers, neither of them are as good of a running back as Chubb is. Just in a pure sense of ball movement via handoffs, there isn’t anyone better than Chubb in the NFL today.
No running back since 2018, the year Chubb debuted in the NFL, has averaged 5.0 yards per carry for the last three years other than Chubb. That’s bonkers. Even more bonkers is the fact that the offensive line has gone through a lot of changes since 2018, with the Browns seeing eight players listed as starters and near-dozen others who have filled in sporadically. Don’t get lost in the narrative, the Browns have not had one continual offensive line over the last three years, and even in 2020 saw a lot of guys coming in and out of the lineup due to injury.
Yet, the Browns persisted.
Chubb is a big key in the offense’s efficiency because he gets his yards no matter who’s blocking for him. That’s why it was so important to lock him up for the foreseeable future, to add stability and peace of mind to the team as they head into a season where it may be make-or-break for a few players on this team. Giving those guys Chubb help ensure they have as few excuses to lean back on as possible.