Nick Chubb extended by Cleveland Browns with three-year contract

Nick Chubb has proven to be one of the top running backs in the NFL over his three career seasons. The Cleveland Browns just locked up their young star as the extended Chubb for three more years.

The deal makes Chubb one of the highest paid running backs in the NFL

According to Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk, the deal is worth $36.6 million over three years with $20 million guaranteed. The deal will pay Chubb $12.2 million per season, which is the sixth-highest total among running backs. Chubb’s $20 million guaranteed is the seventh-highest guarantee among running backs.

Chubb was selected as the 35^th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. The former Georgia Bulldog ran for 4,769 yards and 44 touchdowns in four collegiate seasons. He has seen similar success over the early stages of his NFL career. As a rookie in 2018, Chubb ran for 996 yards and eight touchdowns. He broke out in 2019, running for 1,494 yards and eight touchdowns. Chubb missed a few games in 2020, but he still ran for 1,067 yards and 12 touchdowns in just 12 regular-season contests.

Over a full 16-game schedule, Chubb would have been on pace to run for 1,422 yards. This would have been the third-best total in the league, behind just Derrick Henry and Dalvin Cook. Chubb had 12 runs of 20 or more yards, which trailed just Henry.

The Browns were looking to lock up their running back as he is about to enter the final year of his rookie deal. Now that Chubb has been extended, he will be with the Browns through the end of the 2024 season.

Chubb took to Instagram following the deal. “Let’s go Cleveland,” Chubb wrote.

Chubb makes up half of a dynamic running back duo in Cleveland. Kareem Hunt is the top backup to Chubb but also plays a big role. Hunt ran for 841 yards and six touchdowns in 2020, while adding five touchdowns through the air. Chubb and Hunt are viewed as one of the top running back units in the entire NFL.

Cleveland went 11-5 in 2020, finishing third in a competitive AFC North division. This was good enough for the Browns to sneak into the playoffs, breaking what was a 17-year playoff drought. The Browns even won a playoff game against the Steelers. Things are now looking up in Cleveland.

Chubb is a big part of an offensive core that also contains 2018 first overall pick, Baker Mayfield. The two will look to continue Cleveland’s success into 2021 and beyond. After many long seasons, Browns fans finally have something to look forward to. Chubb is a big part of Cleveland’s current success. Now that the Browns extended Chubb, he will continue to be a big part of their future.

Image courtesy of: Julio Aguilar via Getty Images.