Opportunity Is Everything For Nick Chubb In The Passing Game

By Lenny Chung on August 6, 2023

---

The NFL’s coolest-looking coach with the coolest name, Stump Mitchell, has a message for the NFL: Nick Chubb can catch.

#Browns RBs coach Stump Mitchell says Nick Chubb can absolutely be a weapon as a pass catcher, he just didn't have a lot of opportunities with Kareem Hunt in that role. pic.twitter.com/pzEk7SFVSE

— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) August 6, 2023

“He was always good at it,” Mitchell said to the media on Sunday, “but he never got the opportunity. He’s good at everything he does, and if he’s not, he works to improve on that.”

The Browns’ RB coach is likely referencing Chubb’s extreme efficiency. Despite low usage due to Kareem Hunt’s third-down prowess, Chubb recorded only one drop in the past three seasons and boasts a career 75% reception rate. He ended 2022 with an average of 9.6 yards after catch. Given increased opportunity, there’s reason to believe increased production will follow.

Enter Deshaun Watson. Back in 2020, when Watson led the league in passing, he targeted running backs for 90 passes; 46 of those went to his RB1, David Johnson, in just 12 games.

The last time Chubb had a reasonably talented and healthy quarterback, he saw 49 targets from Baker Mayfield in the 2019 season, bringing in 36 receptions for 278 yards. Given Chubb’s efficiency and Watson’s preferences, an expanded passing game seems like a no brainer, doesn’t it?

Ultimately, it all comes down to Kevin Stefanski. The Browns’ head coach is currently saying all the right things.

“When we design everything, it’s always making sure it fits Deshaun’s eyes,” Stefanski said a couple weeks ago. “Maybe it’s a concept he’s done over the years. Maybe it’s a concept we both saw that we’re going to try it out.”

Since becoming a play caller in the NFL back in 2019, Stefanski’s offenses have produced some of the NFL’s most prolific rushing attacks.

• 2019 (as offensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings)
  • fourth in rush attempts
  • sixth in rushing yards
• 2020 (as head coach of the Browns)
  • fourth in rush attempts
  • third in rushing yards
• 2021
  • ninth in rush attempts
  • fourth in rushing yards
• 2022
  • fifth in rush attempts
  • sixth in rushing yards

Despite having a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback in Kirk Cousins with the Vikings and a former No. 1-overall pick in Baker Mayfield (who we all know was far more hype than substance), Stefanski has largely hidden his quarterbacks behind his dominant running game. His offenses have ranked 28th or worse in passing volume in three of the past four years.

So will Stefanski adapt to his new talent and allow Chubb the opportunity to finally show his ability to be a three-down back in an explosive offense? Mitchell hopes so. The grizzled coach is unapologetically a fan of his leading back. Appearing on the popular The Dawgs Podcast earlier this summer, Mitchell joked, “I don’t mind nit-picking Nick at all. There’s not a whole lot to do.”

Mitchell went on to explain what he believes endears Chubb to the fans:

“He shuts up and does his job. And he’s loud when he’s running. You don’t hear him complain about anything. If you’ve ever seen any of Nick’s weight-lifting stuff on Instagram, he’s at his high school. He goes back during the off-season and he trains with his high school track team. He gets his training there. He’s a no-nonsense guy. All he wants to do is win. All he wants to do is inspire other young men and women to be successful and work hard. That’s who he is.”

If Mitchell’s beliefs and Stefanski’s words ring true, we are about to see an NFL rarity: a mid-prime NFL superstar adding an entirely different level to his current All-Pro production. If this article wasn’t enough to convince you that Chubb is capable of being a threat in the passing game, maybe just spend your time watching this all-time highlight until he proves it in the regular season.

“Nick Chubb can’t catch passes out of the backfield” pic.twitter.com/s8UDkJS0wu

— Austin (@ColtAustinRich) June 21, 2021

---