Despite a tough playoff exit, running back Woody Marks vows to return stronger, focusing on team success and a Super Bowl quest for the Houston Texans.
The Houston Texans have had obvious weaknesses throughout the franchise's recent playoff runs, and one of those areas has been the running game. Houston did what it could on the ground while Joe Mixon missed the entire season with a mysterious foot injury, and the offense leaned on rookie Woody Marks as well as a veteran in Nick Chubb when it came to toting the rock.
The Texans signed Nick Chubb in free agency during the 2025 offseason, and it doesn't look like the running back will be back in 2026. Marks will return after being a fourth-round pick during the 2025 NFL Draft, and the running back is looking to improve on his craft going into his second season in the NFL. He spoke to beat writer Aaron Wilson, "I think I did decent. Just next year, just try to be better, better my craft. There’s always room for improvement and just be the best version I can and be the best version of my last name. I just want to get better at everything. Just get smarter at the game. I really don’t have no goals. I just want to win. I want to get to the Super bowl and win the Super Bowl, so my goals come with team success.”
Marks spoke about improving, but he didn't seem overly happy with his performance during his rookie year. He finished the season with 703 yards on the ground, 208 receiving yards, and five total touchdowns during the regular season. In the postseason, he had what was his best game as a pro against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the Wild Card round, as he totaled 112 yards on the ground and a score.
The rookie had a costly fumble in the next round against the New England Patriots, and he spoke about the disappointment of the way the season ended, "It was real hurtful to go out like that. Whatever success I had, it wasn’t a success. We didn’t finish the game. We didn’t go to the Super Bowl.”
Marks has clear, obvious goals: help this Texans team get over the hump and make it to the Super Bowl. The organization is taking the necessary steps to reach that point during the 2026 offseason. The young back might not be featured as much in 2026 as a Mixon return is looming, but he will still look to be a factor on the offense in both the running and passing game.