Sources shared with NFL Network that the Cleveland Browns have restructured Nick Chubb’s contract, significantly lowering the running back’s base salary and hit against their salary cap. Brown is is now expected to account for just $6.2 million against the Browns’ salary cap. The Browns signed Chubb to a three-year, $36 million contract extension in 2021.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Browns reduced Chubb’s salary cap hit from $15.85 million to $6.275 million; the running back can earn up to $12.2 million next season based on performance levels he was achieving prior to his season-ending left knee injury last year. Before 2023, Chubb had rushed for more than 1,000 yards in four straight seasons, including a career-high 1,525 yards in 2022.

Chubb, a four-time Pro Bowler, was injured in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers last year and underwent a first surgery in September to repair his medial capsule, meniscus and MCL. He later underwent another surgery in November to repair damage to his ACL. The injured left knee was the same one he had reconstructed after tearing his MCL, PCL and LCL while at Georgia in 2015.

Editorial credit: WhoopieWhoopie / Shutterstock.com