Having a superstar franchise running back is something that every NFL team would love on their roster.
Luckily, the Cleveland Browns have one of the best young backs in Nick Chubb.
Chubb has been tremendous through his first two seasons in the league.
However, he is heading towards the end of his rookie contract.
That means, the Browns are likely going to have to dish out big money to Chubb if they want to keep him around long term.
Chubb is severely underpaid for his production, which means he might go the same route as Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook.
Pro-Bowl RB Dalvin Cook no longer will participate in any team-related activities until and unless he receives a “reasonable” deal, a source said Monday.
“He’s out,” a source told ESPN. “Without a reasonable extension, he will not be showing up for camp or beyond.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 8, 2020
Cook has decided to sit out until he gets an extension, much like Le’Veon Bell did with the Pittsburgh Steelers during his final year with the team.
Will Chubb follow in the footsteps of the other star backs and sit out until the Browns give him an extension?
Why is Cook Sitting Out?
Cook is coming off his best season as a pro after being drafted by the Vikings in the second round in 2017.
He battled through injuries during his first two seasons, but had a breakout year last season.
Cook rushed for 1,135 rushing yards on 250 attempts with 13 touchdowns through 14 games for the Vikings in 2019.
That performance earned himself his first Pro Bowl selection of his young career.
He is set to earn $1.7 million next season, which is well under his value from last year.
Cook believes he is worth more and won’t put his career in jeopardy until the organization gives him a long-term extension.
Football is a violent game and you never know how long you’ll be able to step out on the field.
It’s somewhat understandable to see why Cook doesn’t want to play in 2020 after suffering injuries during his first two seasons.
He wants to feel secure before he goes back out on the field for Minnesota.
Will Chubb Follow Cook’s Footsteps?
Chubb was seemingly unstoppable on the field for the Browns last season.
He rushed for 1,494 rushing yards on 298 attempts with eight touchdowns through 16 games in 2019.
After his first two seasons, Chubb is well-deserving of a long term extension.
However, Chubb is currently locked up with a $2 million salary in 2020 and a $2.4 million salary in 2021.
Nick Chubb = the running back you wish your team had. pic.twitter.com/ZEZnCv9Mpb
— Everything Cleveland (@everythingcle_) June 16, 2020
The 24-year-old is already one of the best backs in the league, so it would be smart for Cleveland to start thinking about an extension now.
Chubb has not mentioned anything about sitting out, so Cleveland shouldn’t have anything to worry about heading into 2020.
Should the Browns Pay Chubb?
Through two seasons, Chubb has 2,490 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns with Cleveland.
He could easily make $10-15 million per season if he went into free agency this offseason.
However, the Browns do have other players to worry about as well.
Both superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett and quarterback Baker Mayfield are due for contract extensions soon.
Sometimes organizations hurt themselves by overpaying their young players and after that they don’t have enough cap space to bring in quality players around them.
The Browns should re-sign Chubb soon before his price tag skyrockets, assuming he has another season like he did in 2019.
It doesn’t seem like Chubb is going to sit out at all, but Cleveland should at least begin talking about an extension with Chubb before it’s too late.
NEXT: ESPN Analysts Think Browns Should Sign Cam Newton
