If there’s one thing NFL fans love, it’s seeing a franchise legend return to where his career began. It feels like a homecoming and offers the hope of one last memorable run with a fan favorite. The Cleveland Browns have emerged as one of the teams that should consider such a reunion. After trading away Myles Garrett, the roster offers little reason for optimism.
Cleveland’s flagship sports talk station, 92.3 The Fan, recently discussed the possibility of bringing back free-agent running back Nick Chubb. The former Browns star would not only give fans something to cheer about, but his presence in the locker room could also fill a significant leadership void, according to Spencer German.
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“Look around at this team … The Browns, before the Myles Garrett trade, were the fourth-youngest roster … Having Nick Chubb in that locker room. Especially in a locker room that could have benefited from Joel Bitonio coming back, just lost him; he retired. You could use some more veterans on this team.” German said.
Dec 8, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) tackles Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
“I think Todd Monken is the perfect coach for where this team is now,” German added. “They’re young, they need somebody who’s gonna hold them accountable. They need somebody who’s gonna show them how to be a pro and who’s gonna force the issue and get on them, and he’s doing that. He’s trying to set this culture and show them what it looks like.”
At the moment, the Browns lack a clear veteran leader in the locker room. As German noted, Garrett and Bitonio previously filled those roles. Now, one has been traded and the other has retired. Chubb served as a quiet but respected leader in Cleveland from 2018 to 2024. During his prime, he was unquestionably one of the NFL’s top running backs and consistently led by example.
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German acknowledged that Chubb is unlikely to be the same dominant player he was four to six years ago. However, that reality hasn’t changed his overall stance.
Dec 8, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) and wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) and running back Nick Chubb (24) take the field to play the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
“I’m not gonna sit here and act like this is Nick Chubb 3 or 5 years ago,” German said of Chubb. “But there is an experience piece and leadership piece, there’s a veteran knowledge piece that comes with this that I think would potentially help the Browns.”
German is right. The Browns find themselves stuck in the middle. They aren’t contenders, yet they also lack an abundance of proven talent to build around for the future. Even if Chubb can no longer carry the offense, his leadership, experience, and influence could help shape the next phase of the franchise. It’s a move Cleveland should seriously consider exploring.