Photo Credit: Eric Christian Smith/AP
Nick Chubb is calling it a career.
The veteran running back announced his retirement from the NFL on Friday night after eight seasons, bringing an end to a career that saw him emerge as one of the league’s most productive rushers before injuries derailed his final years.
Chubb, 30, announced the decision in an Instagram post, saying he wanted to finish his career on a healthy note and after a winning season.
“Today’s the day I’ve been avoiding for a while,” Chubb wrote. “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.”
Chubb Leaves NFL After Eight Seasons
The Cleveland Browns selected Chubb with the No. 35 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft after his standout career at Georgia.
He quickly established himself as one of the NFL’s premier running backs, rushing for 1,145 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie.
Chubb then produced four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons from 2019 through 2022, earning Pro Bowl honors each year.
His best season came in 2022, when he rushed for a career-high 1,525 yards and 12 touchdowns while earning second-team All-Pro honors.
Overall, Chubb finishes his NFL career with 7,349 rushing yards and 54 rushing touchdowns.
Knee Injuries Changed Chubb’s Career
Chubb’s career took a dramatic turn in 2023 when he suffered a devastating left knee injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The injury ended his season and forced him to miss the first six games of the following year. It was particularly difficult because Chubb had previously suffered a major knee injury while playing at Georgia in 2015.
“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,” Chubb wrote. “And I was able to do that both times.”
Chubb eventually returned to the Browns in 2024 but was unable to regain the form that had made him one of the league’s most dominant backs.
Chubb Finished Career With Texans
After spending the first seven seasons of his career in Cleveland, Chubb signed with the Houston Texans for the 2025 season.
He began the year as Houston’s lead running back but gradually saw his role decrease as fourth-round rookie Woody Marks became more involved.
Chubb finished the season with 506 rushing yards and three touchdowns in 15 games.
It was his lowest rushing total in a season in which he played at least 10 games since his rookie year.
Chubb Reflects on Career and Injuries
Despite the injuries that prevented him from reaching some of his career goals, Chubb said he has no regrets about his time in football.
In his retirement message, the four-time Pro Bowler emphasized the importance of health and life beyond the game.
“There’s a life waiting for you after football, too,” Chubb wrote. “And health is the real wealth.”
Chubb also acknowledged that he did not accomplish everything he hoped to when he entered the NFL, including leading the league in rushing, winning MVP and bringing a Super Bowl championship to Cleveland.
Still, his peak years established him as one of the most efficient and productive running backs of his generation.
From 2018 through 2022, Chubb rushed for 6,341 yards while averaging 5.2 yards per carry. According to CBS Sports Research, he and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown are the only players in NFL history to record at least 6,000 rushing yards while averaging at least 5.0 yards per carry through their first five seasons.
“I wasn’t able to accomplish any of those things,” Chubb said of his career goals. “What’s most frustrating but also gives me peace is that I know for a fact I gave it my all.”
