Nick Chubb Retires After 8 Seasons, 7,349 Rushing Yards and 54 Touchdowns

Veteran running back Nick Chubb announced his retirement Friday night following a 506-yard rushing season with the Houston Texans.

Nick Chubb announced his retirement from the NFL via Instagram on Friday, August 21, 2026, at 10:02 PM ET, concluding an eight-season professional career. The 30-year-old running back finished his tenure with 7,349 career rushing yards and 54 touchdowns. In his final season with the Houston Texans, Chubb appeared in 15 games, recording 506 rushing yards and three touchdowns while averaging 33.7 yards per contest. Although he began the year as the lead back in Houston, he was eventually surpassed on the depth chart by Woody Marks, a rookie selected in the fourth round.

Career Stats and Cleveland Browns Tenure

Before joining the Texans, Chubb spent the majority of his career with the Cleveland Browns, who selected him out of the University of Georgia in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. His most productive statistical campaign occurred in 2022, when he reached a career-high 1,525 rushing yards. That performance capped a streak of four consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 rushing yards. The 506 yards he gained during his final year in Houston represented his highest single-season total since that 2022 peak in Cleveland. Throughout his career, his play earned him four Pro Bowl selections.

Overcoming Major Knee Injuries

Chubb’s career was marked by significant physical setbacks, specifically involving his left knee. During the 2023 season, a major injury sidelined him for the final 15 games of that year and forced him to miss the first six games of the 2024 season. This was not the first time he faced such an obstacle; he previously tore multiple ligaments in the same knee during his sophomore season at Georgia. In his retirement post, Chubb noted that the only factor within his control was the work required to return to the field, a feat he successfully achieved after both major surgeries.

Retirement Statement and Health Outlook

The veteran ball carrier expressed that he had known about his decision for some time but waited to share the news until he could finish a season healthy and on a winning note. Writing to his followers, Chubb remarked that "12-year-old me could never imagine this day," while reflecting on how quickly time passed. He emphasized to his peers still playing in the league that health is "the real wealth" and that a life exists beyond the football field. He concluded his announcement by stating he has no regrets regarding his career path, despite wishing certain events had unfolded differently.

Final Professional Season Details

Chubb’s transition from a primary starter to a rotational role behind Woody Marks defined his final months in the NFL. Despite the reduced workload, he remained active for 15 matchups in his closing season. His retirement marks the end of a journey that began as a second-round pick and resulted in becoming one of the league's most productive rushers prior to his 2023 injury. The announcement, shared under his social media handle @nchubb27, officially closes the chapter on a career that spanned nearly a decade of professional play.