The Cleveland icon calls it quits after eight seasons in the NFL, including seven with the Browns
Cleveland Browns legend Nick Chubb is calling it a career after eight memorable seasons in the NFL.
Chubb, who is known for his more reserved demeanor, had plenty to say in a lengthy Instagram post on Friday night, where he officially announced his retirement.
"Today's the day I've been avoiding for a while," Chubb's five page post began. "Twelve year old me could never imagine this day. And 30 year old me is wondering where all the time has gone."
His emotional message ended with a thank you to all his former coaches, teammates, friends, family members and, of course, the fans. Then a powerful parting comment.
"Till the day that I die, I will always be:
GO DAWGS.
GO BROWNS!!!
Batman out."
After being drafted by the Browns in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Chubb, of course, spent seven seasons in Cleveland before joining the Houston Texans last season.
Early on, in his rookie season, it took Chubb several weeks to finally earn some meaningful reps in a running back room he shared with Ohio State product Carlos Hyde at the time. His breakout moment came in a Week 4 loss to the then Oakland Raiders, as he turned three carries into 105 yards and two touchdowns.
It somehow wasn't enough to convince then head coach Hue Jackson that Chubb should be the feature back of the offense. Finally, he took over as the starting tailback in Week 7 where he had 18 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown. He finished that first season with 996 yards and eight scores.
Four straight 1000-plus-yard seasons would follow, including a career-best 1,525-yard campaign in 2022. He rushed for a career-high 12 touchdowns twice in his career, both in 2020 and 2022.
One season later, Chubb's career changed forever during a Week 2 Monday Night football matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, when safety Minkah Fitzpatrick tried to make a diving tackle on Chubb and bent his planted left leg in an uncomfortable direction. Chubb was carted off the field with what was later diagnosed as ACL and MCL tears.
Following multiple surgeries, Chubb embarked on a lengthy rehab process and worked through a contract impasse with the team to return to Cleveland. His recovery carried through the mid-way point of the season when he finally suited up for the Browns in Week 7 of the 2024 campaign.
He never rushed for more than 59 yards that season and scored only two touchdowns. Still, his return became an emotional moment during the season between himself and Browns fans.
That relationship was prominent throughout his tenure with the franchise. Chubb was innately Cleveland, particularly thanks to the work over talk mentality he presented every day.
Chubb finished third all time behind Jim Brown and Leroy Kelly on the Browns all-tims rushing leaders list with 6,843 yards. He was sits behind the same two legends in all-time rushing touchdowns for the franchise with 51. He finished his career with four Pro Boal appearances and Second-Team All-Pro recognition in 2022.
