JUNE 9: Chubb passed his physical today, Russini reports. As a result, he is in position to suit up for the Texans in 2025.
JUNE 8: Shortly after reports that the Texans would be looking into the potential of signing veteran running back Nick Chubb, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Chubb is now expected to sign with the Texans on Monday, assuming everything goes well with a workout and physical. 
We’ve seen two full NFL seasons come and go since we last saw Chubb at his best. Once a perennial Pro Bowler and a constant threat to rush for 1,500 yards and double-digit touchdowns, a serious knee injury that resulted in a torn MCL and damaged ACL has plagued Chubb in the past two seasons. The 29-year-old intends to not let it keep him down, though, and he has remained an attractive free agent option as a result.
The Texans are just three seasons removed from a year in which they had the worst rushing offense in the entire league and their top rusher had 427 yards. Before Joe Mixon rushed for 1,016 yards last year, the team hadn’t seen a 1,000-yard rusher since 2019. So even after a season of relative success, in which they had a Pro Bowl running back with over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns but still finished 15th in the league in rushing, Houston sees room for improvement.
Until this potential move, the team hadn’t touched the position in free agency, mostly because they didn’t lose anyone to free agency, but they did add Woody Marks in the draft. Marks, as a fifth-year transfer at USC, had a breakout season for the Trojans, rushing for 1,133 yards and nine touchdowns while showing a decent ability to catch out of the backfield. Perhaps the Texans believed Marks could compete to be an improved RB2 after Dameon Pierce rushed for only 117 yards before the team’s season finale which featured Mixon for only a single starting drive.
Additionally, some combination of Cam Akers, Dare Ogunbowale, J.J. Taylor, and British Brooks only added a combined 305 rushing yards and one touchdown. All this while sixth-round rookie Jawhar Jordan, out of Louisville, failed to make the initial roster and spent his rookie campaign on the practice squad.
So, ultimately, the potential of adding a veteran like Chubb to this sea of bodies has very little risk of hurting the team, while providing the potential that they can add a savvy, veteran rusher almost two full years removed from the serious injuries that sidelined him. Requiring a workout and physical will provide the team with the ability to walk away while also giving them significant information with which to inform the terms of a contract offer.
Expect a low-risk deal for the team with a potential for high rewards for Chubb should he reach certain benchmarks, if the two sides to put pen to paper tomorrow. This expectation is supported by a recent post by Dianna Russini of The Athletic, who reports that “Chubb received more lucrative offers from other teams but could sign a more incentive-laden contract to join (Mixon) in Houston.”
Well that was quick.
Hope he stays healthy.
Wish him the best of luck. Great RB undone by injuries.
I’d imagine that will be a REALLY complete physical he has to pass… It’ll be interesting to see the terms. High risk, high ceiling for Texas.
Individually for Chubb, yes, high risk on his output.
However, I don’t think that this is high risk for Houston. I’m not saying necessarily that this is what you meant exactly, but it’s fair to point out alongside your point. They have three backs now who have proven that they can handle starting volume snaps in Mixon, Pierce, and Chubb. In addition to that, they have a back in Ogunbowale who has been a rotational option throughout his career, and a young rookie in Marks who can handle carries if Chubb isn’t 100%, or is ineffective. The Texans have at least four other backs that can shoulder the load. In fact, I’d say that there may not be enough snaps to go around to fully utilize all of them.
I thought the Buccaneers would have kicked the tires
With white and Irving?
…and Tucker. Absolutely zero need
If healthy, he’s easily an upgrade over all three.
Solid signing. That was fast lmao
Good for Nick. Decent landing spot too.
He’s gonna eat. Omg
Eat what? TX BBQ? He’s going the be the backup to start and even if he shocks the world and gets his juice back, he’s at best splitting carries with Mixon.
So tf what? Stop hating.
Not hating on the player, hating on what I view as a silly comment. Kind of the point of these boards.
A 30 year old running back that hasn’t been healthy the past 2 seasons.
This should end well.
Everytime. I S2g. Everytime. Ez
Name the last time a player of Chubb’s caliber was available in free agency.
Don’t say Cook. He didn’t suddenly fall off. His numbers dropped because he’s undersized and was no longer running behind a fullback.
God some of you are so ridiculous with your hating.
Last year? Barkley, Henry, Jacobs, Mixon, Aaron Jones.
Only Jones was as old and none were coming back from nearly as serious injuries though.
You wont like this example, but Zeke is the first RB that comes to mind as a comparison of a Big Name RB approaching 30 that lost a step after injury, wasn’t resigned, and never regained said step.
You’re acting like Chubb looked like his old self last year. He didn’t. And then he broke his damn foot to boot.
If you aren’t tempering expectations, you’re a fool or a homer.
Yay! Now the rumors about who might sign him can stop.
If Chubb could make a full comeback it would be a great feel good story and the league desperately needs those. Having this guy on the practice field and in the lockerroom is going to inspire other players on the team and coaches appreciate that. The Texans will be relying heavily on Stroud and the passing game for their success so if this signing doesn’t workout well it won’t be a huge setback anyway.
This is a no brainer. If Chubb can actually stay healthy for a change, he’s an impact back on any team.
While the team surprises me, it was obvious somebody would sign him after June 1.
Chubb’s days as an impact back left the stadium on a strecher. That’s the reason Cleveland didn’t want him back.
Go Nick Chubb you just converted me to a Texans fan!!
Definitely a player to root for. Could surprise down the stretch, if he stays healthy.
The physical did reveal some level of concern.
In light of his recent knee issues, Nick’s weight was a major concern.
Those at the actual physical described him as a CHUBB !!