Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry said that it is “increasingly unlikely” that the team brings back four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb. As of this writing, he is an unrestricted free agent who is allowed to sign with any team.
“[I’ve] certainly kept in contact with him and his reps leading into the draft,” Berry said during an interview with 92.3 The Fan. “We haven’t really necessarily been in strong communication after the draft.”
“I wouldn’t rule anything out, but I would say it’s probably increasingly unlikely [that the Browns re-sign Chubb],” Berry continued. “We do have two young guys that we liked. We think Jerome (Ford) plays a role.”
The Browns selected two running backs in the 2025 NFL Draft. Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins was taken in the second round, followed by Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson in the fourth round. Meanwhile, Jerome Ford led the Browns in rushing last season with 565 yards.
Free-agent RB Nick Chubb is not expected to return to Browns, GM Andrew Berry said today.
Story via @DanielOyefusi:https://t.co/9yWfufYDto
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 9, 2025
“It’s basically kinda maybe seeing how the roles shake out in the running back room,” Berry said. “Look, you’re never gonna rule out someone as near and dear to our heart as Nick. I would expect him to take another step, being a year removed from the knee injury. But I’d say maybe a return is less likely, at least in the short term, with us right now.”
Nick Chubb was named to four consecutive Pro Bowls from 2019 to 2022 before suffering a torn MCL and a damaged ACL during the 2023-24 season. After missing the entire year, he returned to the field in Week Seven of last season. He played in eight games before suffering a broken foot against the Kansas City Chiefs, which once again ended his season prematurely.
Andrew Berry later said that Chubb’s broken foot had completely healed, and “it isn’t a concern,” according to ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi, the Cleveland Browns reporter for NFL Nation.
Before his knee injury, Chubb averaged 84.6 rushing yards per game and 5.26 yards per carry. However, those numbers dropped off substantially after he hurt his knee (41.5 yards per game, 3.25 yards per carry).
