A Storied Career
Drafted in the second round (35th overall) by the Cleveland Browns in 2018 out of Georgia, Nick Chubb quickly established himself as a cornerstone of the franchise. Over seven seasons, he has amassed 6,843 rushing yards on 1,340 carries with 51 touchdowns, averaging an astonishing 5.1 yards per carry (YPC). His consistency is remarkable: until 2024, Chubb averaged at least 5.0 YPC every season, a feat that places him among the NFL’s elite.
Key Career Highlights
•Four Consecutive Pro Bowls (2019–2022): Chubb’s dominance as a runner earned him recognition as one of the league’s top running backs.
•1,525 Rushing Yards in 2022: His career-high season showcased his ability to carry the Browns’ offense, finishing second in the NFL in rushing yards.
•Breakaway Ability: In 2019, Chubb led the NFL with 17 Breakaway Runs and a 5.7% Breakaway Run Rate, highlighting his home-run threat on every touch.
Chubb’s ability to gain tough yards, paired with his vision and burst, made him a fantasy football darling and a nightmare for opposing defenses. His 52 red zone touches in 2019 ranked fifth in the NFL, though his touchdown efficiency (eight TDs) suggested room for positive regression, which he later capitalized on.
Despite sharing the backfield with Kareem Hunt for much of his career, Chubb’s role as the Browns’ lead back remained secure. His rush share and red zone opportunity share consistently ranked among the league’s best. However, injuries in 2023 and 2024 have shifted the narrative, raising questions about whether Chubb can reclaim his elite status.
The Injury Saga: Health and Recovery Challenges
Chubb’s career has been marred by two significant injuries to his left knee, which have shaped his current trajectory.
2015 College Injury
While at Georgia, Chubb suffered a catastrophic knee injury, tearing his MCL, PCL, and LCL. Remarkably, he returned in 2016 to rush for 1,130 yards, though his YPC dropped to 5.0 from his career average of 6.8 at Georgia, hinting at a slight loss of explosiveness. This resilience set the stage for his NFL success, but also foreshadowed the fragility of his knee.
2023 NFL Knee Injury
In Week 2 of the 2023 season against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chubb suffered a gruesome knee injury, diagnosed as tears to his ACL, MCL, and meniscus. The injury required two surgeries and sidelined him for over a year. The severity of the injury, combined with it being the second major trauma to the same knee, led many to question whether Chubb could return to form. NFL Insider Ian Rapoport noted that the injury “would be career-ending for many lesser backs,” but Chubb’s “incredible athleticism” offered hope for recovery.
2024 Foot Fracture
Chubb made a triumphant return in Week 7 of the 2024 season, playing in eight games and rushing for 332 yards and three touchdowns on 102 carries. However, his performance was lackluster, with a career-low 3.3 YPC, reflecting a loss of explosiveness. His season was cut short in Week 15 against the Kansas City Chiefs when he suffered a broken foot, which fortunately did not require surgery.
Advanced Metrics Post-Injury
Yards After Contact (YAC): In 2024, Chubb’s Yards After Contact per Attempt dropped to 2.1, down from a career average of 3.2, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). This suggests diminished power and ability to break tackles.
Elusiveness Rating: PlayerProfiler’s Elusiveness Rating for Chubb in 2024 fell to the 30th percentile among running backs, a stark contrast to his pre-injury 80th percentile rankings.
Breakaway Run Rate: His Breakaway Run Rate plummeted to 1.9% in 2024, compared to 5.7% in 2019, indicating a significant reduction in long-gain potential.
These metrics paint a picture of a player who, while still functional, was a shadow of his former self in 2024. However, Chubb’s recent viral workouts suggest he’s far from finished.
A Glimmer of Hope
Throughout his recovery, Chubb has showcased his superhuman strength and determination through viral workout videos that have captivated fans and analysts alike. These displays of power have fueled optimism about his potential comeback in 2025.
July 2024: 540–585-Pound Squats
This is #Browns RB Nick Chubb squatting 540+ pounds—just 8 months after undergoing multiple significant knee surgeries.
Insanity.pic.twitter.com/JlWnad2Wdm
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 15, 2024
Eight months after his second knee surgery, Chubb was filmed squatting 540 pounds with ease, a video that garnered 417 votes and 100 comments on Reddit’s r/fantasyfootball. Just days later, FOX Sports reported him squatting 585 pounds, an astonishing feat for a 227-pound running back recovering from major knee surgery. These lifts demonstrated that Chubb’s lower-body strength remained intact, a critical factor for a power runner.
April 2025: 500+ Pounds and Power-Cleaning 405
Mannn, Nick Chubb power-cleaning 405 after knee injuries & a broken foot just ain’t human pic.twitter.com/qGvxIoNHf7
— Jon Tweets Sports (@jontweetssports) April 29, 2025
In April 2025, Chubb posted an Instagram video squatting over 500 pounds, accompanied by the caption, “They’ve already wrote my ending when I’m just getting started.” The NFL’s official X account amplified the video, noting its jaw-dropping nature.
Implications of the Workouts
While squatting massive weights is impressive, it doesn’t directly translate to on-field performance, particularly for a running back reliant on lateral agility and burst. Chubb’s ability to run “nearly full speed in a straight line” by June 2024 was promising, but his next hurdle was “cutting laterally,” a critical skill for evading defenders.
Nevertheless, these workouts signal that Chubb is physically capable of returning to a high level of athleticism. His ability to train at such intensity, combined with a full offseason to rehab, suggests he could regain some of his pre-injury form.
Health Status Entering 2025
As of April 2025, Chubb is reportedly fully healthy and training rigorously for the upcoming season. In a February 2025 interview, he stated, “I feel good and I’ve definitely been through a lot last two years… I’m healthy now. New season, I have a full offseason. I’m back to my training.” His foot fracture, which sidelined him in December 2024, is not expected to have long-term implications, as it did not require surgery.
However, concerns linger about his knee. The 2023 injury was the second major trauma to his left knee, and multi-ligament injuries often result in permanent loss of explosiveness. Advanced metrics from 2024, such as his diminished YAC and Elusiveness Rating, support this concern. At 29 years old (turning 30 in December 2025), Chubb faces an uphill battle to defy the typical decline of running backs post-injury.
Still, Chubb’s history of defying odds—returning from a similar college injury to dominate in the NFL—offers hope. His Wolverine-like recovery and freakish athleticism, as described by Rotowire, make him an outlier. If he can regain even a fraction of his lateral agility, he could remain a valuable asset.
Potential Landing Spots
With the Browns opting not to extend Chubb’s contract and drafting Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Chubb’s tenure in Cleveland appears to be over. As a free agent, he faces a crowded running back market, with other backs like J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Cam Akers also available.
However, Chubb’s experience, leadership, and potential for a “prove-it” deal make him an attractive option for several teams. Even if he is signed as depth, Chubb can be a valuable change-of-pace option and mentor who can inspire younger players on perseverance and going about things the right way.
Fantasy Football Outlook
Chubb’s fantasy value in 2025 hinges on his landing spot and role. His 2024 performance (3.3 YPC, 332 yards, three TDs in eight games) was disappointing, but a full offseason could restore some of his explosiveness.
Chubb’s red zone opportunity share and goal-line carries will be critical. In 2019, he had 12 goal-line carries but scored zero touchdowns, suggesting untapped potential in the right system. Teams like the Steelers or Bears, with strong offensive lines, could maximize his scoring chances.
The Next Chapter
Nick Chubb’s journey is a story of resilience, from overcoming a devastating college injury to battling back from a career-threatening knee injury in 2023. His recent viral workouts—squatting over 500 pounds and power-cleaning 405—demonstrate that he remains a physical marvel, even at 29 years old. While advanced metrics from 2024 reveal a decline in explosiveness, a full offseason and a fresh start could unlock a productive final act.
As Chubb navigates free agency, teams like the Browns, Steelers, Bears, and Broncos offer intriguing possibilities. His ability to regain lateral agility and capitalize on red-zone opportunities will determine whether he can return to Pro Bowl form or settle into a complementary role. Regardless of where he lands, Chubb’s work ethic and leadership ensure he’ll leave an indelible mark on the NFL.
Why the Chicago Bears should pursue RB Nick Chubb https://t.co/xHhtZbWSap pic.twitter.com/jTc4EdTBrB
— Bears Wire (@TheBearsWire) April 30, 2025
For fans and fantasy managers alike, Chubb’s 2025 season is a narrative to watch—a tale of a warrior defying the odds, one squat, one carry, and one touchdown at a time. As he boldly declared on Instagram, “They’ve already wrote my ending when I’m just getting started.” The football world eagerly awaits the next chapter.
Finally, check out the Player Movement Report on FFToolbox to keep track of who went where. The 2024 NFL season is upon us and All FullTime Fantasy members get exclusive access to our 24/7 Chat Room on Discord!
All morning on Sunday, Senior Analyst Jody Smith will be standing by to answer all your crucial start/sit and keep you updated with all the latest news and injury updates.
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