Earlier this week, Browns running back Nick Chubb said that facing the Steelers for the first time since suffering a serious knee injury against them in 2023 “is the same, normal game for me,” but the postgame response on Thursday night made it sound like Chubb was downplaying things quite a bit.

Chubb ran for two touchdowns, including one with a minute left that gave the Browns a 24-19 victory over their AFC North rivals, and that made him a popular talking point in the locker room. Quarterback Jameis Winston said he knows “how important this was” for Chubb and defensive end Myles Garrett echoed that sentiment.

“It meant a lot to meGarrett said via the team’s website. “I know it means a lot to him. He won’t say it, but it’s true, I will say it. This time last year we felt sick, and it hurt to see his family hurt, to have to see that. In order to process all that, he had to go through that kind of recovery, that mental obstacle. Not knowing what your future is and how long it will take to get back. There was just so much in the air. For him to come back and play a crucial role in this game just speaks to the kind of resilience and man he is, and we absolutely love him.”

Wide receiver Elijah Moore called Chubb “the face” of a franchise that is very happy to have their top rusher back to full health.