In Cleveland, loyalty isn’t just expected—it’s earned. It’s the kind of bond that comes from bruised helmets, bitter winters, and late fourth-quarter drives that leave your heart pounding. But sometimes, even the most faithful have to reckon with change. This offseason, the Browns made moves that stirred emotions deeper than any stat line could show. One familiar warrior sent a quiet message. Another watched his future shift before his cleats could settle. And now, with the dust settling after draft weekend, questions swirl around what Cleveland’s next chapter will really look like.
“I’d say not necessarily, but the complexion of our running back room has changed this weekend,” Browns GM Andrew Berry said after the 2025 NFL Draft, and it led to an increased heartbeat among Cleveland fans. The ‘new complexion’ Berry referenced points to the end of an era—the quiet but powerful departure of Deshaun Watson’s former running back, Nick Chubb. Chubb didn’t hold a grudge—or a press conference.
Instead, he posted a video of himself on Instagram stories on Monday, April 28, showing himself working relentlessly in the gym. The caption wasn’t needed: the message was crystal clear. Nick Chubb is not finished. He’s preparing for another banger of a season—wherever opportunity strikes.
A look back at Nick Chubb’s resilience
Once a Brown, always a Brown. It should be the tagline for Nick Chubb if Cleveland ever immortalizes him. But now we have to say former because the franchise didn’t renew Chubb’s contract after a short-term one-year extension in 2024. Originally signing a three-year extension in 2021, Chubb inked another one-year deal, but after a bittersweet 2024 campaign, the Browns have moved forward without him.
Despite limited appearances last year, Chubb showed he hadn’t lost his elite rushing instincts. In the 2024 season:
3 touchdowns
102 rushing attempts
332 yards rushing
3.3 yards per carry
And remember—these numbers came from just eight games, after returning from a brutal knee injury suffered in September 2023. His last game came against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 14, 2024, where he posted 9 carries for 4.6 yards per attempt. Then another setback—a foot injury—ended his season and perhaps his Browns chapter for good. It’s hard not to imagine: What would Chubb’s numbers have looked like with a full 17-game slate?
And now, with the Browns drafting RBs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson, plus retaining Jerome Ford, the running back room is crowded—and Chubb’s return seems improbable. But reports suggest the Chicago Bears are interested in adding Chubb to their roster, where he could potentially pair with Caleb Williams and help in Ben Johnson’s run-heavy offensive schemes.
Meanwhile, the Browns also made waves by reshuffling their quarterback depth chart.
Browns reshape Watson-led QB Room, decline Kenny Pickett’s option
After drafting Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel and signing veteran Joe Flacco, the Browns have reportedly declined Kenny Pickett’s fifth-year option. Currently, Cleveland has five quarterbacks:
Deshaun Watson (recovering from injury)
Joe Flacco (one-year deal)
Kenny Pickett
Shedeur Sanders (2025 5th round pick)
Dillon Gabriel (2025 3rd round pick)
JAN 8th, 2023: Kenny Pickett 8 during the Steelers vs Browns game in Pittsburgh, PA. /CSM Pittsburgh USA – ZUMAcp5_ 20230108_zaf_cp5_172 Copyright: xJasonxPohuskix
Pickett, once seen as Pittsburgh’s hopeful franchise QB, is now facing free agency after the 2025 season. To recap Pickett’s recent journey:
In 2022, he signed a four-year, $14 million rookie deal with the Steelers.
Traded to the Browns after Pittsburgh acquired Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
In 2024, Pickett actually played for the Philadelphia Eagles, appearing in five games:
25 completions on 42 attempts (59.5% CMP%)
2 passing touchdowns
The Browns’ decision to decline his fifth-year option signals a significant shift: Pickett is fighting for his next NFL opportunity, not just a spot on Cleveland’s depth chart. The 2025 offseason has made one thing painfully clear in Cleveland: The NFL waits for no one, not even its toughest warriors. Nick Chubb’s grind continues in the shadows. Kenny Pickett’s future hangs in the balance. And the Browns? They’re rolling the dice on youth, grit, and a new era—with Deshaun Watson at the center, but plenty of unknowns swirling around him.
For Browns fans, it’s bittersweet. For Chubb and Pickett, it’s a reminder: In the NFL, nothing is guaranteed—except the grind.
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