Jan. 23, 2026, 3:01 p.m. CT
Are the Houston Texans moving off Nick Chubb this offseason?
Right now, all signs point to a change in the backfield for 2026.
The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander recently answered several questions on the future of Texans’ following their playoff loss to the divisional round. With a massive need at running back as Joe Mixon’s status continues to be an unknown, he’s not expected to be back.
Neither is Chubb, who finished with 506 yards and three touchdowns while splitting reps as the No. 1 with rookie runner Woody Marks.
“While [Dare] Ogunbowale could return, Chubb likely won’t,” Alexander wrote. “So, regardless, Houston will need to fill that spot.”
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Signed to a one-year deal worth up to $5 million, Chubb was expected to compete for first-team reps with Mixon sidelined. He earned the starting gig in Week 1, but by midseason his reps began to diminish in favor of Marks, who started seven of the eight final games.
In 15 games played, Chubb put together 122 rushes, averaging 4.1 yards per carry while helping Houston reach its first 12-win season since 2012. In the postseason, he totaled 14 carries for 62 yards and picked up six first-downs against the Steelers and Patriots.
At age 30, Chubb still could be looking to close out his career on a high note, but the Texans are looking to get younger at a key position to ease pressure off C.J. Stroud in a prove-it year