The Cleveland Browns are starting the process of outlining their offseason priorities and assessing the important decisions they’ll face ahead of the mid-March start of the new league year, one week after suffering a setback in the wild-card round and following several coaching staff changes.
According to Browns general manager Andrew Berry, it’s too soon to determine the specifics of those choices. He admitted as much during his season-ending news conference on Monday that he won’t be disclosing much information once the Browns have finalised their plans. However, in the 30-minute, largely news-free session, Berry acknowledged that, in advance of the running back’s 2021 contract’s final year, Nick Chubb’s future with the team is unclear.
Berry remarked, “Obviously, I understand that’s a little bit of the elephant in the room.” “With regard to Nick, I can speak for the team and myself when I say that nobody wants to witness that play in Pittsburgh to be his final carry for the Cleveland Browns. Of course, there are issues that we’ll need to resolve, but that is not our goal. Of course, we’ll try to keep him on the squad.
Chubb will be starting his seventh NFL season. He turned 28 last month. After being hurt in Week 2 in Pittsburgh, he underwent two surgeries to repair the meniscus, MCL, and ACL in his left knee. In the last year of his contract, Chubb is expected to count for roughly $15.8 million against the Browns’ 2024 salary cap. However, Cleveland would only lose $4 million in dead money if Chubb is not on the field because the contract’s guarantees have already been met.
Berry acknowledged that Chubb had been cleared to walk without crutches when he was spotted in December around the facility. However, there isn’t a deadline for getting back to work, which could make renegotiation even more difficult. With Kareem Hunt once more scheduled to enter free agency, the Browns anticipate needing to select a running back in the draft or through free agency. However, the extent to which this position becomes a priority will depend on the information they receive regarding Chubb’s health and contract status.
