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Browns Show Respect To 4-Time Pro Bowler With 1-Day Deal To Retire In Cleveland
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- Browns Show Respect To 4-Time Pro Bowler With 1-Day Deal To Retire In Cleveland
The Cleveland Browns gave Nick Chubb seven seasons to build one of the strongest rushing résumés in modern franchise history. The 2018 second-round pick became a four-time Pro Bowler and one of Cleveland's most productive players.
Chubb spent his final NFL season away from Cleveland. After his seven-year run with the Browns ended, he joined the Houston Texans for the 2025 season. He announced his retirement on Aug. 21 at age 30.
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Browns Bring Nick Chubb Back for One Final Day
Cleveland announced Sept. 25 that Chubb will sign a one-day contract and officially retire as a Brown. The deal gives his career a fitting ending with the franchise that drafted him.
"I love Cleveland. It's a second home to me," Chubb said in the team's announcement . "The decision to retire a Brown was an easy one." He also thanked the Haslam family, team president JW Johnson and general manager Andrew Berry for welcoming him back.
The move followed an earlier plan from Cleveland's ownership to honor Chubb after his playing career. The Browns have also used one-day retirement contracts for Joe Haden, Phil Dawson, Rashard Higgins and Christian Kirksey.
Jun 10, 2025; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Nick Chubb (21) participates in a drill during an NFL football minicamp at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
The contract is a symbolic return, not a comeback attempt. Chubb retired after eight NFL seasons, including one year in Houston. However, his best years came during his seven seasons with Cleveland.
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Nick Chubb's Numbers Explain the Return
Nick Chubb finished his Browns career with 6,843 rushing yards and 51 rushing touchdowns. Both totals rank third in franchise history. His 30 games with at least 100 rushing yards rank second.
He also holds Cleveland's record for the longest rushing touchdown. Chubb set it with a 92-yard run against Atlanta in 2018.
Dec 17, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) warms up before the game between the Browns and the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Chubb rushed for 1,494 yards in 2019 and recorded four straight 1,000-yard seasons from 2019 through 2022. His career-high 1,525 yards in 2022 made him the second player in Browns history to reach 1,500 rushing yards in a season, joining Jim Brown.
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Some of Chubb's best moments went beyond statistics. During a 2020 win over Houston, he broke free for a 59-yard run late in the game. Instead of scoring, he stepped out at the 3-yard line so Cleveland could run out the clock and secure the victory. The Haslam family later highlighted that play while discussing his legacy.
That season also brought Cleveland back to the playoffs. The Browns beat Pittsburgh in the wild-card round for their first postseason victory since 1994. Chubb finished with 76 rushing yards and 69 receiving yards.
His career changed after a serious knee injury against Pittsburgh in Week 2 of the 2023 season. Chubb had two surgeries to repair his medial capsule, meniscus, MCL and ACL. After more than a year of recovery, he returned in Week 7 of 2024.
Dec 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
The comeback lasted eight games before Chubb broke his foot against Kansas City in Week 15. He finished the season with 332 rushing yards and three touchdowns. In 2025, he recorded 506 rushing yards and three touchdowns across 15 games with Houston.
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Chubb's Cleveland legacy also includes two Ed Block Courage Awards, which teammates voted him to receive in 2020 and 2024. The award honors courage, compassion, commitment and community.
The one-day contract gives that relationship a formal ending. Nick Chubb will retire with the team that drafted him, while his 6,843 rushing yards, 51 touchdowns and four Pro Bowl selections remain part of Browns history. Cleveland has also said it looks forward to honoring him in its Ring of Honor.
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