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Nick Chubb dishes on the key takeaways from RB call

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb. Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Chubb dishes on the key takeaways from RB Zoom call

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 7/24/23

Although Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb isn’t directly affected by the contract struggles of Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs or Tony Pollard, the four-time Pro Bowler knows he could find himself in their situation when his contract ends after this season.

This is why Chubb said it was important to attend the running back Zoom call organized by Chargers RB Austin Ekeler over the weekend — something Chubb said put things into perspective for him as he weighs his desire to put up big numbers against a diminishing running back market.

"Right now, it's just talking, there's really nothing we can do," Chubb said, via the team’s official website. "We're kind of handcuffed with the situation, but what I took from it — (Christian) McCaffrey, Derrick Henry and Saquon all had a lot of good points. The biggest thing is that we're the only position where our production hurts us the most. If we go out there and run 2,000 yards with so many carries, the next year they're going to say you're probably worn down. That's the biggest thing that I took from it. It's tough. It hurts us just to go out there and do well. It hurts us at the end of the day."

#Browns Nick Chubb participated on Zoom call for RB contracts last night. Supports Saquon Barkley and the others. Chubb is signed through next year pic.twitter.com/NqNEeqcYLr
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) July 23, 2023

Compared to other offensive positions, running back is by far the most undervalued and underpaid with one of the higher risks of injury. Per Spotrac, in terms of average annual value, there are 104 players who make more per year than the NFL’s highest-paid RB (McCaffrey) — something Chubb and those who attended the Zoom call are aiming to remedy.

Only five RBs make $10M or more per year, whereas quarterback (18), receiver (33), tight end (12) and offensive line (48) all more than double that number.

"They say we get hit every play and we're more injury prone when we're all on the field doing the same thing," Chubb added. "But only that applies to us. I would say if we're taking the most risk and doing the most, then we should be valued more. … We’re definitely in a tough situation, running backs as a whole.”

Chubb has rushed for over 1,000 yards in four straight seasons, averaging at least five yards per rush and scoring eight or more touchdowns every year. Since 2019, the 27-year-old leads all RBs in average yards per carry (5.3) and he ranks second in rushing yards (5,345), third in rushing touchdowns (40) and fourth in carries (1,018).

Chubb is the last running back to get $10M or more on a long-term contract when he signed his current three-year, $36.6M deal with the Browns in 2021.

While he’s certainly in line to top that deal with his next — especially if he reels off his fifth straight 1,000-yard, Pro Bowl season in 2023 — one has to wonder if anything will come from the RB Zoom call that could give Chubb more leverage next season.

“We have a lot of options for things we can do,” Chubb said. “But as far as right now, we’re looking for a call to action I would say. But I don’t think anything was actually established as far as that aspect (during the Zoom). But we’re still thinking of things we can do.”

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