Along with Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb is one half of what is arguably the best running back duo in the NFL.
Chubb is entering his fourth NFL season and the final one on his rookie contract.
Browns fans shriek at the thought of Chubb becoming a free agent because he is beloved in Cleveland for many reasons.
Everyday that goes by without a Nick Chubb contract extension makes me nervous…. #Browns
— Mouch 🥃 (@jeffro_matt) June 29, 2021
He is not an overrated player, and here are the reasons why.
3. Production
Football is a statistics-driven sport, and Chubb’s stats have been stellar.
Nick Chubb and Derrick Henry being the only two players to finish top-two in yards after contact per attempt (min. 100 att) over the past three seasons is incredible. Being the most efficient player at any position once is so hard. Doing it every year is otherworldly.
— Kyle Dvorchak (@kyletweetshere) June 22, 2021
In three seasons, he has 3,557 yards rushing and 28 touchdowns in 44 career games.
Considering that he shares carries with Hunt and missed four games in 2020 due to injury, these numbers are off the charts.
NICK CHUBB RB1 pic.twitter.com/LIeh8oa6gv
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) June 22, 2021
The Browns are a different team when he is not on the field, evidenced by the lack of rushing production during the four games he missed in 2020.
The Browns are going to be VERY HAPPY to have Nick Chubb back in the lineup this week…
Wk 1-4 Wk 5-9
Rush Yds/Gm 1st 24th
Yds/Rush 1st 26th
Rush TD 1st 32nd>> Chubb missed Weeks 5-9#Browns pic.twitter.com/IvnZkzEOnm
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) November 11, 2020
Besides rushing the ball 680 times, he has caught the ball 72 times for 577 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
2. Team-First Mindset
Chubb puts up great numbers, but that is not his concern.
He is all about the team and doing what he can to give his team a victory.
Last season, his actions exemplified this.
Chubb was on his way to an easy touchdown against the Texans but listened to his coach’s advice and did not score to preserve the win.
In true Chubb style, he did critique himself for going out-of-bounds saying he should have stayed in.
Nick Chubb with the huge run to clinch it for the Browns 🔥 @NickChubb21 @Browns pic.twitter.com/t77iX1DxjV
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) November 15, 2020
Another example is his partnership with Hunt.
Chubb is a star and could be the one and only back on any team in the NFL, but he likes sharing the role with Hunt.
It hurts his individual stats, but he does not care.
1. Character
Outside of Cleveland, people may not know much about Chubb’s character.
He is a past winner of the quietest player award at Browns training camp.
In a sport, where many talk too much, Chubb says the bare minimum.
His focus is on the work and on being a good teammate.
#Browns HC Kevin Stefanski on @BullandFox says Nick Chubb is "a cultural tone-setter. There's a way to lead without being a rah rah guy. His teammates are keenly aware of Nick Chubb when he's in the building."
— Keith Britton (@KeithBritton86) April 29, 2020
Chubb’s contract situation is bound to get more attention so he will have to field questions about it.
He prefers to leave those matters to his agent and let the process ensue without his intervention though he has said he wants to stay in Cleveland.
#Browns RB Nick Chubb on what it would mean to stay in Cleveland long-term: "It'd mean a lot. Cleveland drafted me, trusted me and put their faith in me to come here and help build this culture. Cleveland's where I want to be."
— Keith Britton (@KeithBritton86) June 15, 2021
This is practically unheard of in modern day sports.
The guy could probably get Derrick Henry-caliber money but appears to care very little about that.
Titans and RB Derrick Henry is signing a four-year, $50 million contract that includes $25.5 million guaranteed, source tells ESPN.
In one off-season, the Titans keep both Henry and Ryan Tannehill on long-term deals.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 15, 2020
Conclusion
If only the NFL had more players like Chubb in it.
Though professional athletes do not always embrace the role of being role models, Chubb is truly one that kids should look up to and emulate with his character, team-first mentality, and work ethic.
Chubb is the real deal, and Browns fans know it.
NEXT: Why Browns Did Not Make A Mistake Letting Sheldon Richardson Go