Browns' Running Back Dilemma: Post-Chubb Plans

Browns' running back Nick Chubb faces a serious knee injury, and fans hope for a full recovery.

[{"selector":"#anim-48f3b6bf-8dac-4ef8-8a99-30f00b6a60c8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8da89c2b-6e0d-47d9-925d-8b9ebc4d2a95","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a3af9886-aee0-4210-a620-f285ebd85905","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a3a5e266-34f8-4317-a613-f012ab319ac4","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

In 2023, the Browns face a crucial decision regarding their running back position.

[{"selector":"#anim-c0993470-55bb-455e-bebd-881da1bf32ad","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3ee80442-80ff-40be-8953-b5f282bc4db6","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4681cdb9-2aea-4616-84f2-cbd820126332","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-af60a803-8575-4e1a-bdec-72abc9d0de7a","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fecbce91-e5c4-4472-9d3b-16dfb9315858 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-22.01704528474597%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}]

One option is the "next man up" approach, promoting players from within and adding a young, cost-effective talent.

[{"selector":"#anim-46cfee6a-a842-4f72-8080-3e6cbae94e7b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e5d3ffc1-36c5-4194-81cd-4a155014c90f","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-743a67b0-ac0e-45cf-8fc0-075fa2a2b98e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-32ee55b6-2551-4d55-b0a5-d40e20e7af66","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4440b9fa-fbc4-43b3-9e4a-0d7eccb49aa2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-11.544585753915184%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}]

Jerome Ford showcased his potential with a strong performance, gaining 106 rushing yards.

[{"selector":"#anim-d1069291-033e-4971-beea-9cc725d89910","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-09717373-e1be-4c82-8e6e-6c5f3e1a4b5d","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-880870c6-b0b5-47b9-b0dc-24fa7fac4262","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ffd99174-c08c-4e56-8b1b-f8dc5b24a1b7","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0b3fe82d-6c48-4323-b08f-05802a85f3ca [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-7.414504458574002%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}]

The Browns could consider signing Kareem Hunt, who has a history with the team but comes with a high price tag.

[{"selector":"#anim-21a6267f-61e1-4cb0-8e1b-7367947035f1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b5d52ee3-3c8a-4b1e-a602-4c050842e922","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-35375f75-2c27-4ec7-b0b2-86f480741241","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-602f5f9c-d683-436d-85f1-ec847e5f663d","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-42fbe567-8329-423e-87a9-752c45260ad2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-24.756493353316888%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}]

Another option is pursuing Jonathan Taylor, who is in a contractual dispute with the Colts.

[{"selector":"#anim-c447afd5-93e6-444a-a7f7-d800fc4ab6eb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2c936a59-eca1-4dcc-be28-069e563bc9dc","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5a8ea5ee-4ffe-42a8-bc9e-102f2bda86a4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-70164f82-a9a5-4979-a85e-fdcaf0f0c689","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9cf1fedf-bc28-49b5-8b51-805981e0c1a2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-19.16228297926057%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}]

Acquiring Taylor would likely mean the end of Nick Chubb's tenure with the Browns.

[{"selector":"#anim-4e38c42a-4c4d-44d1-9a3d-6e0547cc7d4b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a1bbad3f-f8cf-4756-8751-3dce0aa5d29a","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-44885daf-42b9-4adf-86f1-63c83680fa0e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7cd5b8b3-fa41-4a63-a0b8-6d6674e5683a","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-637905b6-7e2c-4e7c-ac66-5fee1e727bc0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-28.971354039065655%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}]

The move would also be unconventional for an analytics-driven team, as it involves significant money and draft picks for an established running back.

[{"selector":"#anim-5074b3dc-58a7-4f94-a3a1-d30a34651c5a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-26afd178-4627-4c94-9129-88ab002195ed","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d16a73cc-a89f-4f38-9c81-49a3d774ac72","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-67eda596-1edf-4939-a417-36b0284beb54","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0cc40de1-253e-4a0e-b802-60276471d948","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c5867d3f-e924-48ab-a145-372440d85185","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

There's the intriguing possibility of trading for Cam Akers, who fell out of favor with the Rams and may fit with the Browns.

[{"selector":"#anim-ec440435-44fa-493c-b4ce-88c3a68912cd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d2694915-471b-4f7b-84b6-a8ec166ba476","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e89f4fbe-e3ee-4d15-8874-8a0d621b23d8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a9a59174-ac11-411d-8ed2-0223bacd1b01","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7a37e3e1-e5c2-4cdd-a2a1-a6e2fbec6b6b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-15.491383719759028%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}]

The Browns have a range of options, but any decision will acknowledge the irreplaceable contributions Nick Chubb has made to the team.

[{"selector":"#anim-4b2319b4-b7ab-4447-b725-c1f38cc0de24","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3d7232cf-8e90-4985-8778-d5cd80cb3d61","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-32d3c66a-30cc-4b9e-8d63-87db55cb13f1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-899a220c-76de-428e-9813-e7626e6e8938","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ee7123c9-c56a-444e-bd28-c45c8b3d8beb [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.154999824969654%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}]

wisdomimbibe.com/nfl

[{"selector":"#anim-48fab135-6219-411e-a018-c5e3ecba22a7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-7.812499744007886%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3266e7a8-472c-47f4-98b6-9abf6126b0be","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4efbceba-3132-4f66-af27-c925202d38f3","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c38671ee-7077-4b24-a239-d48a5b6bbbe9","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(-540deg) scale(0.1)","none"],"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"fill":"both","iterations":1}] [{"selector":"#anim-86c87bb8-3898-4d3d-bcc3-67f6cdab5367","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(-540deg) scale(0.1)","none"],"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"fill":"both","iterations":1}] [{"selector":"#anim-32046600-8cfc-4e84-9dde-5aaf4eeb57e0","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(-540deg) scale(0.1)","none"],"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"fill":"both","iterations":1}]