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Joe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans warms up prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium.
The Houston Texans were certainly a better team in 2025 than they were in 2024. The defense was much improved, and the offensive line protected C.J. Stroud a lot better, giving up 23 sacks compared to 52 last year.
But one spot where the team regressed was in the run game. Joe Mixon racked up 1,016 rushing yards in 2024, scoring 11 times for Houston, while the 2025 brigade of Nick Chubb and Woody Marks was able to put 1,209 yards and five combined touchdowns.
It’s clear the Texans’ offense operates better when they have a consistent bell-cow runner for Stroud to rely on in the backfield, and one of Houston’s biggest priorities this offseason should be finding someone who can handle the workload.
Texans Trade Proposal Lands Panthers’ Chuba Hubbard
In a trade idea proposed by Sports Illustrated’s Jared Koch, the Houston Texans could acquire Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard to get themselves a new lead back heading into 2026.
“Hubbard could be a trade candidate for the Panthers in an effort to save a bit of cash on their payroll, with a deal to ship him out freeing up $3 million on their books, while a team like Houston— in the market for offensive upgrades— could be a worthwhile destination in mind to send him,” wrote Koch.
When it comes to the Texans’ current running back room, they don’t have a clear answer on the roster who could replace Mixon. That was obvious throughout this past season when they didn’t have their star, who didn’t play a single game all season due to a foot injury.
Chubb is 30 years old, which is ancient in running back years. He’s an impending free agent and unlikely to be back with the team in 2026.
Marks showed flashes throughout his rookie season. The 116th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft seems to be a nice third-down option. He has good hands and can make plays when he gets the ball in space, but being a lead option doesn’t seem to be in his future.
Enter Hubbard, a player on a manageable contract who won’t likely cost a whole lot in a trade. His numbers weren’t great in 2025, thanks to injuries and the emergence of Rico Dowdle, but his 2024 season would be exactly what the Texans are looking for.
Hubbard carried the ball 250 times for 1,195 yards during the 2024 season, scoring 10 times in a weak Panthers offense.
He could be exactly what Houston is looking for in their backfield.
Would the Panthers Trade Chuba Hubbard?
Hubbard seems like the perfect trade target for the Houston Texans, but will the Carolina Panthers be willing to deal him?
The answer could be yes. Dowdle took the league by storm this season after a few iffy years with the Dallas Cowboys. After Hubbard’s injury, the South Carolina product exploded in Weeks 5 and 6 with back-to-back 180-plus rushing yard games.
An impending free agent, the Panthers could look to re-sign him to a long-term deal, while 2024 second-round pick Jonathan Brooks recovers and works his way into the backfield.
Hubbard, in that scenario, would be the odd man out, and Carolina can land a future draft pick for their talented running back.
It would be a win-win for all sides as each team gets something they’re looking for this offseason
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