The Browns offseason, like many NFL teams, comes with annual rumors of players being shipped away, coaches being fired, and stars joining the roster to turn the team around and help push Cleveland to the ever-elusive Super Bowl. This year has been no different, and while there are some rumors circulating the fan base that do hold some weight, others are as far-fetched and not-happening as they come. First, addressing the rumors that have found their way to Twitter and subsequently other sites: Nick Chubb being on the trade block and the team shifting away from running the ball frequently. The rumor took off after reports from the NFL Combine suggested the Browns intend to shift their offensive mentality and go pass-heavy with quarterback Deshaun Watson, whom they hope to get back to his elite form this season after a rust-shaking return in 2022

League sources have indicated the Browns do have a desire to pass more — at least more efficiently, with Watson this season. If Watson can bounce back this year, it would not only be the goal of the Browns, it would behoove them to allow Watson to rip on a daily basis. But part of what makes any offense so dangerous, as head coach Kevin Stefanski outlined way back at his arrival in Cleveland in 2020, is a marriage of a strong pass and run game, and there have been discussions on how to evolve the run game further, mixing up runs out of the gun with other methods to keep defenses on their toes. Trading Chubb takes you out of that picture completely. Sure, you have running back Jerome Ford who showed plenty of promise in his rookie season, but Chubb is one of one—and the Browns know it. Chubb is a valued member of the team and one they plan to keep around this season. His contract sets him up to become a free agent in 2025, and trading him this year would only give the Browns at most a $10 million cap savings while likely not getting enough of a return in terms of draft picks for a 27-year-old running back (yes, even one-of-one Chubb).The central theme around the Chubb trade rumor is clearing cap space for the Browns to be more aggressive in free agency. With the Browns currently $13 million over the cap, general manager Andrew Berry will need to do that, but the contract savant has other methods of getting that done.First, restructuring Watson's mega contract will be top of mind. The restructure doesn't say they regret the $230 million guaranteed deal they penned. It's a numbers game to make the most of the money available to spend to set the roster up for success. During the NFL Combine, Berry spoke to the possibility of restructuring Watson's contract this season.

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