Nick Chubb retires from NFL after eight seasons
The four-time Pro Bowl running back cites persistent lower body injuries as the reason for ending his career while a free agent.
Nick Chubb has officially retired from the National Football League, concluding an eight-season career that saw him become one of the league’s most consistent offensive threats. The 30-year-old announced his departure on Instagram on Friday night, stating that he wished to exit the sport while still healthy. Chubb remains a free agent, making the decision two weeks into the 2026 preseason.
Chubb’s professional trajectory began when the Cleveland Browns selected him 35th overall in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of the University of Georgia. His early years were defined by remarkable consistency, as he recorded four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons between 2019 and 2022. This sustained performance earned him four Pro Bowl selections and cemented his status as a top-tier running back during that period.
His statistical peak arrived in 2022, when he rushed for a career-high 1,525 yards and 12 touchdowns. That campaign secured him second-team All-Pro honours. According to CBS Sports Research, Chubb’s output from 2018 to 2022 is historically significant; he and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown are the only players in NFL history to average more than five yards per carry while rushing for over 6,000 yards in their first five seasons.
However, the 2023 season marked a turning point as injuries began to interrupt his prime. In Week 2, Chubb suffered a severe knee injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers, tearing his MCL, meniscus, and ACL. Although he returned to action in Week 7 of the 2024 season, he sustained another season-ending injury in Week 15 against the Kansas City Chiefs, this time a foot fracture.
Following these setbacks, Chubb’s production declined significantly during the 2025 season with the Houston Texans. He rushed for 506 yards and three touchdowns on 122 carries, a marked drop from his previous standards. In his retirement statement, Chubb acknowledged the frustration of not winning a Super Bowl for Cleveland or the MVP award, but expressed peace in knowing he gave his all.
The decision to retire while a free agent allowed Chubb to close his career on what he described as a healthy note and during a winning season. He reflected on the passage of time, noting that his 12-year-old self could never have imagined the day, while his 30-year-old self wondered where the time had gone.
