After announcing his retirement in August, Nick Chubb returned to Cleveland on Friday to formally conclude his professional football career as a franchise legend. During the ceremony, Chubb reflected on the devastating 2023 knee injury that ultimately shaped his decision to step away from the game.
The Browns signed Chubb to a one-day contract, allowing the organization to honor his career where it began. At his retirement press conference, Chubb admitted he “never really came back” from the 2023 injury, describing the trajectory of his career afterward as a “sad ending.”
“It’ll be emotional for me, I know that. I think for everybody, too, just with how things went here with me, how I’ve had so much success, and then just to get taken down like that. And then never really came back, it was just kind of a sad ending,” Chubb said.
Chubb suffered the severe left knee injury in Week 2 of the 2023 season against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although the veteran running back returned to the field in 2024, his comeback was cut short by a season-ending foot injury in Week 15.
Add ClutchPoints on Google
Cleveland selected Chubb in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He spent his first seven seasons with the Browns before joining the Houston Texans for the 2025 campaign after Cleveland opted not to re-sign the four-time Pro Bowler following the 2024 season.
Chubb emphasized that his bond with the city and franchise remains unbroken.
“Cleveland forever. I’m a Brown for life,” Chubb said.
During his first five NFL seasons, Chubb led all running backs in yards per carry. He ranks third in franchise history with 6,843 career rushing yards, trailing only Hall of Famers Jim Brown and Leroy Kelly.