Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb will reportedly start practicing on Wednesday, but will he even play a snap with his current team before they trade him? A healthy version of Chubb is arguably the best player on the roster, as the second-round pick has established himself as one of the game’s elite runners while on the field. Since entering the league in 2018, the Georgia product made four Pro Bowl teams while recording 6,511 yards and 48 touchdowns on 1,238 attempts (5.3 yards per carry). Chubb suffered a gruesome injury early in the 2023 season, but he should be back on the field before long.
The #Browns have designated RB Nick Chubb to return off PUP and his practice window is now open.
They will have 21 days to put him on the active roster.
A return is near. pic.twitter.com/I2eCORcVFB
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 30, 2024
The only problem is that Chubb’s arrival might be too little and too late. At 1-3, the Cleveland Browns are already facing an uphill battle to make the playoffs. Deshaun Watson continues to disappoint, as the controversial passer is arguably the worst starting quarterback in football. Put simply, it’s impossible to win games with a $230 million liability at the game’s most important position, which means the Browns could trade the aging Nick Chubb for the promise of younger, cheaper talent. Assuming the second-round pick can find his old form, the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Chargers could fight for his services.
Cowboys, Chargers Likely Nick Chubb Trade Destinations
The Dallas Cowboys find themselves one game behind the Washington Commanders in what might be the most talented division in football. Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb are great players, but this offense needs some extra muscle if they want to take down second-overall pick Jayden Daniels and company. The LSU product is taking the world by storm, setting record after record while completing 82.1% of his passes for 897 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception while adding another 218 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Nick Chubb can’t singlehandedly match this production, but the trade candidate could play an instrumental role for Dallas down the stretch.
The Cowboys might have the worst running back duo in the league. Led by the underwhelming duo of Rico Dowdle and an aging Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas has averaged just 3.5 yards per carry as a team. This must improve, and a Nick Chubb trade could be the way to do it. Owner Jerry Jones believes in the value of the run game, as he used a top-five pick on a running back in the 2016 NFL Draft and felt comfortable giving Tony Pollard a fully guaranteed $10 million for one season of work in 2023. Jones believes running the ball keeps the opposing offense off the field, and a healthy version of Chubb would easily be the best back on this team.
Running the Ball With Jim Harbaugh
For better or worse, Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers will live and die with the running game. Justin Herbert is banged up, the wide receivers are nothing special, and the tight ends are nonexistent. Los Angeles overcame this early in the season, as one-time Raven J.K. Dobbins dominated opposing teams on the ground. However, the former second-round pick has regressed in a major way while big-money signee Gus Edwards has been a complete bust. Harbaugh will never give up on his desire to run the ball, which means this team could trade for Nick Chubb.
While wide receiver is a bigger need, making a move for a reliable set of hands doesn’t mesh with Harbaugh’s vision. The former Michigan coach believes the run game is vital to the success of the offense, and a Nick Chubb trade could be the best way to install some life into the ground attack. If he recaptures his pre-injury form, Chubb could do some damage behind a talented Chargers offensive line.
Main Photo: Jeff Lange – USA Today Sports
