CLEVELAND — About the only thing Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb is content with is his ability to let his play do most of the talking instead of paying attention to what is being said about the team in the media or what questions arise with his teammates and coaches.
Chubb simply shows up to work each day and hustles through practice as if he were a player trying to make the roster rather than the person who leads in the NFL in rushing heading into Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals and is slated to start for the AFC in the Pro Bowl following the season.
“He has been the one mainstay,” Browns offensive coordinator Todd Monken said. “For the most part through 15 games, there would be a couple in there, but for the most part, we have been able to run the football and that has started with having a tremendous scheme, but I think our guys have developed each week, and then, having the players up front to be able to block it, which they deserve some of the credit.
“Nick obviously is certainly very capable in terms of taking what we have come together collectively as a game plan and executing that and breaking arm tackles. He has been ultra-consistent and durable.”
Chubb leads the NFL with 1,453 rushing yards and eight touchdowns with 61 first downs, 11 20-yard gains and four 40-yard rushes against only two turnovers. Also, Chubb has proven to be a multi-dimensional back with 35 catches going for 277 yards, 13 first downs and four 20-yard plays.
Chubb only helped his chances of finishing 2019 as the NFL’s leading rusher in the Browns’ Week 15 loss to the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, as he powered his way to 127 yards and one touchdown, a 33-yard score, on just 17 carries.
Although the Browns added another talented ball carrier to the backfield in Kareem Hunt after he served an eight-game suspension, Chubb’s numbers have not dropped off. The second-year rusher from Cedartown, Georgia has registered four 100-yard games and an average of 92.86 yards per game while splitting touches the last seven weeks.
“It is hard,” Monken said. “I think that is the biggest thing. For as often as he has carried it, to be durable, and then, continue his productivity even with Kareem (Hunt) coming on board. A tremendous football player and tremendous person. I can’t say enough about Nick obviously, beyond even as a player.”
Even though the Browns no longer have a chance at making the postseason, the coaching staff expects Chubb to be a tone-setter when the team concludes the 2019 edition of “The Battle of Ohio” against the Bengals in Cincinnati.
“He has a great personality,” Monken said. “He is awfully quiet, but again, anything you ask him to do, he does. A consummate pro. For as young as he is, he is a consummate pro.”
Browns coach Freddie Kitchens added, “You guys know how I feel about Nick. Nick is one of the hardest workers we have. He shows up every day in meetings and on the field trying to get better. He has done an outstanding job of that.”