Texans running back Dare Ogunbowale arrived in Houston in March of 2022 on a two-year, $3 million contract after playing his previous two seasons for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

It would actually be his second stint with the team, considering he signed with the franchise as an undrafted free agent back in 2017. This time around, it would be to contribute in both the running back room and special teams unit. 

2022 wasn't much of a season to write home about for Ogunbowale, as he totaled only 42 carries for 123 yards and one touchdown across 17 games (he also added 20 receptions for 104 yards). 

2023 was even less of a workload, as he only saw 10 games worth of action and logged eight total carries for 35 yards (along with only two receptions for 18 yards). Although, he had one of the greatest individual moments of the season by nailing a 29-yard go-ahead field goal in the Texans' 39-37 thriller of a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

2024 was a slightly better statistical year for the former Wisconsin Badger, as Ogunbowale carried the football 30 times for 112 yards over 17 games played. He also had 19 receptions for 198 yards and one touchdown score.

His lone touchdown came in week four against the Jaguars, when he took a pass from quarterback C.J. Stroud to the corner of the endzone for the go-ahead score  with 0:18 remaining in the fourth quarter and eventual 24-20 home win. 

He struck again against the Kansas City Chiefs in week 14 of this season. With 7:00 minutes left in the fourth quarter, Ogunbowale took the handoff from Stroud, cut through the middle of the bodies at the line of scrimmage and dove into the endzone to give Houston a 17-10 lead that would eventually become a landmark 20-10 victory in Arrowhead Stadium. 

For the last three seasons, it seemed like at least once or twice per year there would be a monumental play with Dare's name written all over it.

Whether being a depth running back option, special teams ace or emergency kicker, Ogunbowale has been a valuable asset for a Texans organization that had been torn down and rebuilt as he first joined.

Unfortunately, the NFL's alternate moniker of "Not For Long" makes its presence known regarding the ninth-year veteran ahead of 2026 free agency's opening day on March 11th. For, his contract is officially up as of 4:00 p.m. on that day, and Houston may be looking to go in a different direction at the position when the window begins.

He's already had to contend with the likes of Joe Mixon, Dameon Pierce, Nick Chubb and Woody Marks for carries in the regular season from 2023-2025. With an even greater emphasis in improving the running back room going into 2026, Ogunbowale most likely will find himself on the outside looking in of that arrangement. 

If this is the end of his run in Houston, we at the Texans Roundtable thank him for his service to the franchise and the city of Houston as a whole for being part of one of the greatest team turnarounds in the history of the NFL. 

He more than did his fair share while donning Battle Red, Liberty White and Deep Steel Blue. Now, a parting of ways could open the door to Dare finding more opportunities to make an impact in a locker room just like he has for the team that originally signed him out of college.

Do you think Ogunbowale is legitimately done with the Texans? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below and by mentioning us at @Texans_RTB on X and @Texans.Roundtable on TikTok!