_OBR Insider Lane Adkins contributed to this report..._
It's been a triumph for running back Nick Chubb to return to the playing field, once again dawning the brown and orange. The Cleveland Browns was able to return to the site of his second gruesome knee injury, providing a few great plays against the Pittsburgh Steelers, even as his team fell short in their attempt to sweep the season series. Nevertheless, Chubb has yet to look like his former self, one of the best running backs in the NFL.
Everyone was unified in their desire to see Chubb return healthy to the field, hoping he could reclaim his former glory, one of the best representations of the franchise the past quarter century. Teammates gave him an ovation when he returned to the practice field after seeing how hard he worked to get there. They voted him the team's Ed Block Courage Award Winner to further symbolize that achievement.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski has consistently noted that Chubb was one of the first people in the building and one of the last to leave ahead of the season. That even as Chubb didn't often say much, his dedication and work ethic sent a clear signal to the rest of his teammates. He was a leader even if he never said a word.
After the victory over the Steelers in the first matchup in which Chubb ran for 59 yards on 20 carries and a pair of touchdowns, Stefanski said of Chubb, "Yeah, I've run out of superlatives for Nick, honestly, and he's my favorite player on the team. You can tell everybody else I said that."
It's also clear that Chubb currently doesn't have the burst or agility that he had before the injury. He's winning with vision, power and sheer determination more than anything else as a runner right now. So as the Browns approach the offseason, there are questions as to how the Browns and Chubb will proceed. Here's what the OBR is hearing.
The Browns want to re-sign Chubb. Chubb wants to stay in Cleveland. The only potential hurdle is money. That's not to suggest money is an issue. That's only to note that money is the only issue that could prevent getting a deal done.
The organization doesn't view this as simply a sentimental move. While there is value in having Chubb play as much of his career as possible with the Browns because of his popularity, the team intends to win football games and they expect Chubb to be a part of that equation.
Even when Chubb came back to the field, the Browns weren't expecting him to be his old self this season. They still view his return as being ahead of schedule. The nature of the injury was always going to require additional time to get full strength. They feel good about of Chubb that will be able to play for the team next year as the team desperately needs to improve their rushing attack.
Beyond the medical diagnosis, Browns have faith in Chubb the person and his work ethic. If Chubb can avoid another injury before the end of the season, he'll be able to focus entirely on strengthening the knee, improving his flexibility and improving elements like his quickness and burst. It's also a matter of increasing his confidence in the knee, getting his brain and central nervous system to understand just how much power he has.
As always, Chubb has been understated in describing the process of getting more comfortable in his play. He'll say he's getting more comfortable with each week, but isn't where he wants to be, that he'll know it when he feels it. The most difficult part is behind him. That will provide him additional motivation in the offseason.
The Browns need to make a number of improvements on their roster heading into next season. They feel good that Chubb will be one of the players that helps to get this team back to being competitive.