The Cleveland Browns have shown immense trust in second-year running back Jerome Ford. And that is a massive risk for a team that has pushed every single chip into the center of the table to take on a player with eight career carries.
However, the team did not draft another running back in the 2023 NFL draft. They have not signed another running back on the opening market to this point. And even if they do as training camp rolls along, the Browns have continued to reiterate their trust in Ford, currently listed as the second running back on the depth chart.
And Ford is up for the challenge.
“I’m very anxious. I’m just still learning behind [Nick] Chubb and when the time comes and I’m put into the game, I plan on showing everyone.”
A rookie no more
Ford knows he has big shoes to fill after the departure of Kareem Hunt. He’s grown in year two. And running backs coach and run game coordinator Stump Mitchell sees firsthand the signs of growth and maturity shown by the former fifth-round pick out of Cincinnati.
When asked what he sees in Ford, Mitchell rattled off a laundry list of areas where the second-year back has taken a leap. An understanding of the offense, an improved teammate, confidence in himself, an improvement in pass protection, and being more accepting of his circumstance headline the areas where Ford’s mentality has shifted after a rookie year where he did not see many opportunities.
Ford himself spoke on his growth as he came back to training camp for his second season in the NFL:
“I know a lot more, it’s different than when you first come in and are getting the hang of everything… you know the system a little bit better, you know the schedule a little bit better.”
His growth has had to be fast and needs to continue to be exponential as the responsibility has already been thrust upon him. Ford stated the special teams experience helped him get a feel for the speed of the game at the NFL level, but he’s ready for something more. It’s a great thing Ford has perhaps the best mentor possible already in the room with him.
There is no better running back to learn from than the one Ford spends the most time with
What an opportunity it is for Ford to learn behind arguably the best running back in the league. And he is not taking that for granted, attaching himself to the hip of the veteran All-Pro as he continues to learn how to be a professional.
“Nick does 100 percent of everything right. Nick told me has never been fined or late to a meeting since he has been here. So taking notes in every meeting, watching him burst 25 yards or into the endzone… finishing every play. He pretty much is still teaching us how to be pros.”
Chubb even stated to the media earlier in training camp that Ford is a back that can do everything, calling him a “special player.” Chubb also sees the maturity of Ford, he sees the game slowing down, and he sees an acceptance from Ford to do what is asked of him.
Ford has bought in. He’s bought into the coaching of Mitchell and the mentorship of Chubb. As his young career is set to take off in 2023, Ford has his eyes set on having the type of impact the man in front of him has in Chubb:
“That’s where I want to be able to say, ‘I’m that far along’ later in my life.”
Mitchell isn't backing down either
Mitchell is not satisfied, however. He sees the buy-in from Ford but stated, “We are on his butt about it.” The running backs coach knows who he has in his room in Chubb, knows what he can be for Ford, and is pushing the youngster to match what Chubb can do on the field.
We will get our first glimpse of the matured Ford in the preseason when they take on the Washington Commanders on Friday. It may not be perfect. Ford may experience some growing pains as his role exponentially increases.
But he has two of the best in the business in his corner.
