Now that Nick Chubb has a new deal through 2024, he said he can focus fully on going to work. (Cleveland Browns)
With a new deal in hand, Nick Chubb can concentrate on one thing – going back to work
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Takeaways from Day 5 of Browns training camp …
On the day Nick Chubb signed a three-year contract extension with the Browns for $36.6 million, he talked about recovering from a serious injury to his left knee in his second season at Georgia. It was a small glimpse into the mindset of why the running back might have left a few dollars on the table to lock up with the team he loves.
The injury was immediately termed “career-threatening” by some, yet Chubb came back the next year and rushed for over 1,000 yards.
“Back then it was a little blurry for me. I wasn’t sure how things would turn out. If I’d be the same player or if I’d ever even play again,” Chubb said. “So that’s just things I always hold onto in the back of my mind. Knowing where I came from and knowing where I want to be. I can say through the help of friends, family and God, I’m here in the best position.”
Throughout the ordeal of being asked about a new contract as his existing one was set to expire this year, Chubb always maintained things would work out the way they’re meant to be. And he is ecstatic they worked out this way.
“It means everything,” he said. “I love it here in Cleveland. I love this team, love the coaches, love the position I’m in. I can’t ask for anything better than where I’m at. Cleveland’s where I want to be. I’m happy to get it done so I can be here for more years.”
According to overthecap.com, Chubb's deal makes him the sixth-highest paid running back based on average per year. The contract includes $17.133 million in fully guaranteed money, which includes a $12 million signing bonus. Another $2.87 million is guaranteed in 2022, bringing the effective number to $20 million in guarantees.
Chubb said that new money wouldn’t change him and that was evident on the first day of the new contract. He said he had no plans to buy anything special for himself or family. He wouldn’t predict a Super Bowl appearance over the length of the contract, which runs through 2024, and said his goal now is to “go out and have a good practice.”
Nicknamed “Old School” by Duke Johnson at his rookie training camp in 2018, Chubb said he was just relieved to be able to focus solely on going back to work.
“I have nothing but respect for him,” said newcomer linebacker Anthony Walker. “Watching him at Georgia and in NFL, all around back, can catch the ball, run, block. Joking with him today, I said the first thing that came across my phone was ‘Nick Chubb signs his deal.’ That’s pretty awesome. You see guys put the work in and get rewarded for it.
“He’s a head-down, go-to-work guy every day. He doesn’t say much, but his actions, the way he works, speaks volumes.”
Coach Kevin Stefanski echoed that, saying Chubb "is a leader in his actions."
Chubb appreciates that teammates notice his no-frills, all-work mentality.
“That’s who I am,” he said. “It shows people are taking notice of it, my approach and how I do things. I don’t talk much. I do it with my work. Guys appreciate it and the team appreciates it.”
One of the opening scenes in “Hard Knocks” when the Browns appeared in 2019 involved Chubb arriving for camp at Cleveland-Hopkins Airport virtually unnoticed. Waiting for his luggage at baggage claim, a traveler asked Chubb what brought him to Cleveland.
In just three years, Chubb has established himself as one of the most impactful running backs on a franchise historically laden with great backs. Everyone knows who he is now.
“I came here and was going to go to work and I knew people would take notice of that eventually,” he said. “That’s what happened.”
Walker down
Prior to practice, Walker talked excitedly about being the defensive signal-caller for his new team and playing in the middle of a run defense with ends Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney able to seal the edges and funnel ball-carriers to him.
Midway through practice, Walker looked to mis-step at the end of a play and his right leg felt pain. He limped off and tossed his helmet. Walker received attention by a trainer before walking slowly to the fieldhouse. The Browns later confirmed the injury was to his knee.
In his interview session, Walker made a point of how the team needs to be paced through training camp to condition for the long regular-season and beyond.
“I always pride myself in camp in getting in the best shape possible,” he said. “It’s a pace to get there. You want to go 100 mph every day, but that’s why the coaches never go more than four plays in a row [with a player]. Then it goes to six, then seven. Now it’s time to keep building that up.”
Brownie bits
Besides Walker, other notables who did not practice were safety Ronnie Harrison (lower leg), defensive end Takk McKinley (illness), center JC Tretter (illness) and receiver Anthony Schwartz (hamstring). Receiver Rashard Higgins was back to work after missing a couple days with an ankle, and he sneaked behind the secondary and caught a TD from Baker Mayfield …
The official acclimation period of slow ramp up to faster-paced practices officially is over. Game officials appeared for the first time on Monday and players will wear pads for the first time Tuesday …
Rookie linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah can be cleared from Covid-reserve as soon as Tuesday. If he passes a few tests, he may join his teammates for the first time Tuesday.
