No Limits for Nick Chubb, Role Expected to Expand in 2023
The start of Cleveland Browns training camp has instilled a range of emotions among fans. Some are bursting with excitement, eagerly awaiting the team’s performance, while others adopt a more cautious wait-and-see approach. There are even fans who remain pessimistic until the Browns secure a playoff spot. These reactions are understandable, considering the team’s tumultuous past and the current composition of the roster.
Since his entrance into the league in 2018, running back Nick Chubb has been a consistent force for the Browns. Meanwhile, injuries, frequent roster changes, suspensions, and lackluster play have plagued nearly every other position on the team.
However, as the Browns gear up for the 2023 season, they are poised to introduce a new offensive scheme that will see Chubb assume a different role. In a stark departure from Kevin Stefanski’s previous offenses in Cleveland, the team plans to adopt a more spread-out approach, utilizing running backs in the passing game to a greater extent.
Coach Stefanski acknowledges that Chubb’s versatility will play a pivotal role in this new offensive strategy. It allows the Browns to experiment with creative formations and plays, including options typically associated with college football. During the team’s offseason activities (OTAs), glimpses of these imaginative tactics were already on display.
Stefanski not only praises Chubb’s versatility but also highlights his ability to catch passes out of the backfield. While widely recognized as an excellent running back, Chubb has often been undervalued as a complete player, especially by fantasy football enthusiasts, due to his limited involvement in the passing game. His most productive year as a receiver came in 2019 when he recorded 36 receptions for 278 yards.
In 2022, a staggering 32 running backs outperformed Cleveland’s lead back in terms of receptions. However, expectations are high that 2023 will be a turning point, with Chubb poised to accumulate 50 or more receptions—an achievable target.
Increased involvement of wide receivers on the field will undoubtedly impact Chubb’s overall production in multiple ways. With fewer defenders in the box, rushing lanes are likely to become clearer, presenting Chubb with greater opportunities to thrive. Additionally, the opposing defense will be compelled to field more cornerbacks and safeties, resulting in fewer linemen and linebackers—another advantage for Chubb.
Nick Chubb has proved time and again that there are virtually no limits to where his exceptional running skills can take him. However, the upcoming season will be a litmus test to determine if he can fulfill the role of a complete back in the passing game. Should he excel in this aspect, it will undoubtedly bring immense satisfaction to Browns fans and fantasy football owners alike.
As the anticipation builds for the 2023 season, all eyes will be on Nick Chubb, eagerly awaiting his expanded role and the havoc he will wreak on the field. The Browns faithful are hopeful that Chubb’s versatility and increased involvement in the passing game will propel the team to new heights. Only time will tell if their expectations will be met, but one thing is for certain—Nick Chubb is ready to leave his mark on the upcoming season.
