Cleveland Browns offer Nick Chubb chance to retire with franchise

CLEVELAND — The Browns want to reunite with Nick Chubb in a ceremonial capacity, allowing the legendary running back to retire as a member of the franchise.

On the night of Friday, Aug. 21, Chubb announced his retirement as an NFL player with a post on social media. On Saturday, Aug. 22, before Cleveland kicked off a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Browns managing partner JW Johnson appeared on WEWS News 5's pregame show and sent a message to Chubb, who played for the Browns from 2018-2024 before spending the 2025 season with the Houston Texans.

"Hell of a career," Johnson said. "We're excited to get him back here and have him retire as a Brown as he rightfully should. Nick, if you're watching and listening, we're excited to get you back and get you back here as a Brown, buddy."

ready to welcome Nick back with open arms 🧡#BUFvsCLE on News 5 pic.twitter.com/uhhZ2SRIpf

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In recent years, former Browns players Joe Haden, Christian Kirksey and Rashard Higgins signed one-day deals with Cleveland to retire with the organization. It's not the least bit surprising the Browns hope to follow the same path with Chubb.

After the Browns let Chubb walk in free agency last year and he signed with the Texans, owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam released a statement saying they looked forward to eventually inducting Chubb into Cleveland's Ring of Honor.

The 30-year-old Chubb was a four-time Pro Bowl selection with the Browns (2019-2022) whose professional career took a major hit when his left knee was blown out in 2023 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Chubb suffered a devastating injury to the same knee when he played for the University of Georgia, yet he returned to form and became a second-round pick (No. 35 overall) of the Browns in the 2018 NFL Draft.

For his career, Chubb ran for 7,349 yards and 54 rushing touchdowns. He also had 1,109 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns.

Nick Chubb retires: Former Cleveland Browns running back announces end of his NFL playing career

Here is Chubb's entire retirement announcement:

Today's the day I've been avoiding for a while.

Twelve year old me could never imagine this day, and 30 year old me is wondering where all the time has gone.

I've known for some time now, but I'm finally ready to share that I'm done playing football.

I wanted to end my career on a healthy note, along with a winning season, and I was able to do that.

At the beginning of this journey, I made many promises to myself. The #1 promise I made was that I would always stay true to who I am and never forget the things that made me, me.

That promise meant always being the hardest working person, no matter where I was or what the circumstances were.

And that started in Cedartown, Georgia.

My mom and grandma instilled discipline and responsibility in me at a young age. They taught me that there's a right way and a wrong way to do everything. There's no in between.

Laying concrete with my dad during those hot Georgia summers also played a part. That taught me how to push through pain and how to be a man.

Up at the high school, my coaches held me to the highest standards and demanded the best out of me every single day.

This is where I realized I could become a good football player simply by outworking everyone.

All of these things, people, and experiences helped shape me into who I am today.

But I also made promises to myself that I wasn't able to keep.

Like all competitors, I wanted to be the best.

But not just the best...

Unequivocally the best.

No question, the best.

In college, I wanted to win the Heisman, become an All American, and win a National Championship.

In the NFL, I wanted to lead the league in rushing, win MVP, and win a Super Bowl for the city of Cleveland.

I wasn't able to accomplish any of those things.

And what's most frustrating, but also gives me peace, is that I know for a fact I gave it my all.

I know I put myself in the right position to achieve all of those things. But it just didn't happen for me.

I know there's a deeper meaning in that, one that I hope to understand someday. But if not, I'll understand that it's just life.

Dealing with injuries was something else that wasn't part of the plan.

The only thing I could control after hurting my knee twice was getting back up, getting back to work, and getting back on the field.

And I was able to do that both times.

But I will tell you, going through a devastating knee injury at 19 is a lot different than going through one at 28.

At UGA, when it first happened, I was young, naive, and didn't fully understand the extent of the injury. I believe that played a part in me being able to bounce back and eventually return to form.

At 28, it's different.

You understand that you have the rest of your life to look forward to.

And that's exactly what I started to do.

I say this to all my brothers still on the field, still in the heat of it:

There's a life waiting for you after football, too.

And health is the real wealth.

I end my career in a great place.

Even though there are some things I wish had happened differently, I can say that I have no regrets.

Football was a huge blessing in my life. It opened so many doors, gave me opportunities I never could have imagined, and allowed me to meet some amazing people.

I'm grateful for everyone I crossed paths with along the way, and I promise I took something from each of you.

Thank you to my teammates, my coaches, the fans, my family, my friends, and anyone who ever cheered me on.

Twelve year old me could have never imagined where this game would take us.

But 30 year old me can look back and say we gave it everything we had.

Till the day that I die, it will always be:

GO DAWGS.

GO BROWNS!!!

Batman out. 

Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Browns offer Nick Chubb chance to retire with franchise