Nick Chubb named Browns non-QB MVP by NFL.com

The Cleveland Browns enter the 2022 NFL season with a ton of questions. They recently answered the Baker Mayfield question by trading him to the Carolina Panthers. That still leaves no resolution to the quarterback dilemma with no word still on a potential suspension for Deshaun Watson. From there, the dispute remains, even when at their best, where do they fall in the AFC North race? One question that’s long been answered, though, is in the backfield with three-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb.

Ahead of this season, NFL.com’s Kevin Patra predicted Chubb to be the Brown’s non-QB MVP. Patra says Chubb’s consistently elite stats suggest how special his play can be as we go further into his career.

“Chubb finished second in rushing with 1,259 yards in 2021 despite missing three games. The bruising back who cuts through the second level like a hot knife through butter has averaged 5.3 yards per carry in his career – currently second all-time behind underrated Jamaal Charles (5.4),” said Patra. “Chubb is the first running back in NFL history to average 5-plus yards per carry in each of his first four seasons. In addition, he has averaged 85-plus rush yards per game in three consecutive seasons – HOFer and three-time MVP Jim Brown is the only other Browns player ever to achieve the feat (four-season streak from 1958 through 1961 and three-season streak in 1963-65).”

Concerns on when or if Watson will play this season essentially remove him from the MVP race. No defensive players winning the award since 1986 likely removes Myles Garrett too. This leaves Chubb in a position to be the featured player on offense for Cleveland this season. While he will still share snaps with Kareem Hunt, Patra says Chubb is prepped to thrive in Cleveland’s run offense this fall.

“Behind a nasty offensive line, if he stays healthy, Chubb can finally lead the NFL in rushing in Kevin Stefanski’s ground-first scheme,” Pastra said.

Cleveland drafted Chubb in 2018 and he’s consistently been one of the best backs in the NFL since. Unease at other spots in the Browns lineup leaves the door open for Chubb to take the next step. It usually takes a substantial season to unseat a quarterback in the NFL MVP race. With plenty of opportunities coming this season, that’s exactly what Chubb could have in store in 2022.