CLEVELAND — Based on the offensive line’s blocking during a play in 2018, retired Browns left guard Joel Bitonio expected then-rookie running back Nick Chubb to be tackled for a loss against the Raiders. Instead, Chubb rushed 41 yards for a touchdown, his second of the game.
Bitonio also remembers Chubb telling him he would do anything for him and then showing up to Meijer in Avon to support Bitonio’s annual “Shop with a Pro” holiday event for kids.
On and off the field, Chubb established a pristine reputation during his Browns tenure spanning 2018-2024. After spending the 2025 season with the Houston Texans, Chubb announced his retirement as an NFL player on the night of Friday, Aug. 21, with a social media post.
“Simply the best,” Bitonio told the Beacon Journal of Chubb on Saturday, Aug. 22. “On the field, off the field, he did it the right way. He worked hard. He ran hard. When there was a play that was like, ‘Joel, you’re pulling left, and Nick’s following you,’ there was always that glimmer of hope that he could break for a touchdown. There was nobody better to block for than Nick.”
Bitonio, who dabbled in sideline reporter duties for WEWS News 5 during Cleveland’s 31-7 preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills, always considered Chubb the model teammate. Their Browns careers overlapped for seven years, and they retired during the same offseason.
“He was focused. He practiced hard,” Bitonio said. “You hear about Jerry Rice finishing in the end zone. That was Nick Chubb at practice finishing in the end zone. If he was beat up, if he was hurt, he was going to be out there for his guys and compete with his guys.”
Safety Grant Delpit is one of the few remaining Browns players who spent multiple seasons in Cleveland with the 30-year-old Chubb. In 2025, the Browns let Chubb walk in free agency.
“His time with the Browns, how it ended, I hate that,” Delpit said. “I alway say there’s supposed to be a statue of Nick Chubb outside this stadium. [He’s] just like the definition of a great football player, man, the way we want to play this game, the way that you want to be low-maintenance but the hardest worker in the room, just the type of respect that guys have for him, it doesn’t come often. So, he’s a legend, man, and I’m so, so happy and excited for him for his next step in his life.”
Browns offensive tackle Dawand Jones made his first NFL start on Sept. 18, 2023, when Chubb’s left knee was shredded at the Pittsburgh Steelers. Chubb suffered another gruesome injury to the same knee when he played for the University of Georgia, though he still became a second-round selection (No. 35 overall) of the Browns in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Chubb completed another remarkable comeback to play for the Browns in 2024. Along the way, he and Jones bonded.
“He’s such a great player. He’s such a great guy,” Jones said. “He don’t talk much, but he talked to me. So, it’s dope to be just be a lineman he could talk to.
“He’s like the mean brother. I’m an only child, so I don’t really know what it’s like to have an older brother, but I think that’s what Nick was for us.”
Cleveland Browns want Nick Chubb to retire as member of their franchise
Before Cleveland kicked off against Buffalo, Browns managing partner JW Johnson appeared on WEWS News 5’s pregame show and sent a message to Chubb.
“Hell of a career,” Johnson said. “We’re excited to get him back here and have him retire as a Brown as he rightfully should. Nick, if you’re watching and listening, we’re excited to get you back and get you back here as a Brown, buddy.”
Bitonio is eager to see Chubb and the Browns reunite for a retirement celebration.
“It’d be unreal,” Bitonio said. “I think there’ll be a time for it. I don’t know when, but I think there’ll be a time. He clearly, in his retirement letter, [made it known he still] loves the city and loves the Browns, so I think he’ll be back.
“Some people have fans, and they’re popular. I think everybody [admires Chubb]. I’ve never heard somebody be like, ‘Ah, Nick Chubb’s not one of my favorite players.’ So, to bring him back and let him get his flowers would be pretty cool.”
Nick Chubb announces retirement announcement on Instagram
Here is Chubb’s entire retirement announcement:
Today’s the day I’ve been avoiding for a while.
Twelve year old me could never imagine this day, and 30 year old me is wondering where all the time has gone.
I’ve known for some time now, but I’m finally ready to share that I’m done playing football.
I wanted to end my career on a healthy note, along with a winning season, and I was able to do that.
At the beginning of this journey, I made many promises to myself. The #1 promise I made was that I would always stay true to who I am and never forget the things that made me, me.
That promise meant always being the hardest working person, no matter where I was or what the circumstances were.
And that started in Cedartown, Georgia.
My mom and grandma instilled discipline and responsibility in me at a young age. They taught me that there’s a right way and a wrong way to do everything. There’s no in between.
Laying concrete with my dad during those hot Georgia summers also played a part. That taught me how to push through pain and how to be a man.
Up at the high school, my coaches held me to the highest standards and demanded the best out of me every single day.
This is where I realized I could become a good football player simply by outworking everyone.
All of these things, people, and experiences helped shape me into who I am today.
But I also made promises to myself that I wasn’t able to keep.
Like all competitors, I wanted to be the best.
But not just the best…
Unequivocally the best.
No question, the best.
In college, I wanted to win the Heisman, become an All American, and win a National Championship.
In the NFL, I wanted to lead the league in rushing, win MVP, and win a Super Bowl for the city of Cleveland.
I wasn’t able to accomplish any of those things.
And what’s most frustrating, but also gives me peace, is that I know for a fact I gave it my all.
I know I put myself in the right position to achieve all of those things. But it just didn’t happen for me.
I know there’s a deeper meaning in that, one that I hope to understand someday. But if not, I’ll understand that it’s just life.
Dealing with injuries was something else that wasn’t part of the plan.
The only thing I could control after hurting my knee twice was getting back up, getting back to work, and getting back on the field.
And I was able to do that both times.
But I will tell you, going through a devastating knee injury at 19 is a lot different than going through one at 28.
At UGA, when it first happened, I was young, naive, and didn’t fully understand the extent of the injury. I believe that played a part in me being able to bounce back and eventually return to form.
At 28, it’s different.
You understand that you have the rest of your life to look forward to.
And that’s exactly what I started to do.
I say this to all my brothers still on the field, still in the heat of it:
There’s a life waiting for you after football, too.
And health is the real wealth.
I end my career in a great place.
Even though there are some things I wish had happened differently, I can say that I have no regrets.
Football was a huge blessing in my life. It opened so many doors, gave me opportunities I never could have imagined, and allowed me to meet some amazing people.
I’m grateful for everyone I crossed paths with along the way, and I promise I took something from each of you.
Thank you to my teammates, my coaches, the fans, my family, my friends, and anyone who ever cheered me on.
Twelve year old me could have never imagined where this game would take us.
But 30 year old me can look back and say we gave it everything we had.
Till the day that I die, it will always be:
GO DAWGS.
GO BROWNS!!!
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Nick Chubb’s former Cleveland Browns teammates react to his retirement
Reporting by Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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By Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal | USA TODAY Network
