CLEVELAND, Ohio — As Andrew Berry officially confirmed what Browns fans feared — Nick Chubb likely won’t be back in Cleveland — the Orange and Brown Talk podcast offered a glimpse of hope in the form of two rookie running backs who impressed during their first minicamp appearance.
Dan Labbe acknowledged the emotional significance of the moment while highlighting the fan reaction to Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson taking the field.
“On a day when Andrew Berry confirmed what we all knew, that Nick Chubb probably isn’t going to be back, I think it was comforting for Browns fans to get to hear from Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson and kind of get to see some videos of those guys,” Labbe said, noting that footage of the rookies racing through drills was his most popular social media content of the day.
Mary Kay Cabot sensed a palpable shift in energy that could signal an exciting new chapter for Cleveland’s ground game.
“You can sense and feel that it’s a new day in the Browns running game and these guys have, as we talked about, some great personalities. They’ve got some energy,” Cabot observed.
When asked about filling Chubb’s legendary shoes, Judkins showed both respect for the Browns icon and confidence in his own abilities.
“I asked Quinchan Judkins about filling those shoes of Nick Chubb today,” Cabot revealed, “and I thought he gave a great answer where he said he wants to create his own legacy and I think he will.”
What makes this rookie duo particularly intriguing is how their complementary skill sets could restore Cleveland’s identity as a physical, run-dominant offense. Cabot envisions a classic “thunder and lightning” backfield taking shape in the AFC North.
“I think they’re going to get back to Cleveland Browns, AFC North, ram it down your throat football,” she predicted. “And I think one of them is going to be the bruiser in Quinshon. The other one’s going to be your home run hitter. Thunder and lightning, the Brown’s own version of thunder and lightning.”
While the Browns organization has described Judkins as a potential “bell cow” back, suggesting he might handle the bulk of the carries, Labbe noted that Sampson shouldn’t be overlooked. The Browns drafted him simply because they just really liked Dylan Sampson, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski.
The competition between the two rookies could become one of the more intriguing storylines of training camp. Labbe noted that Sampson “sounded like a guy that feels like he wants to prove something,” setting up what could be a “lowkey battle to watch.”
However, as the podcast team noted, the most likely outcome is a productive time-share that leverages both players’ strengths. “We know that they’re going to be splitting time. We’re going to see both of them a lot,” Labbe said.
For a fan base facing the emotional challenge of moving forward without one of the franchise’s most beloved players, Judkins and Sampson represent not just replacements, but a fresh start and a potential return to the team’s identity as a physical, run-first offense that imposes its will on opponents.
As Cabot concluded, “I think it’s going to make a huge difference in this season on both sides, sides of the ball.”
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