Heading into the 2025 season, the Texans sent moderate shockwaves throughout the NFL when word got out that they had signed former Browns running back Nick Chubb to a one-year contract.

Little did we know at the time that the signing wasn't a luxury signing, but an absolute necessity because of the eventual realization that incumbent running back Joe Mixon wouldn't be available for the entirety of the season due to a mystery foot injury. 

Thus, Chubb would be paired with rookie Woody Marks and veteran Dare Ogunbowale in manning the backfield behind quarterback C.J. Stroud. 

Coming off back-to-back seasons that were marred by major injuries, Chubb was hungry to prove that his ailments were behind him and that he would be ready to return to his pre-2023 form. 

Before the injuries essentially ended his career in Cleveland, Chubb was a lock for at about 1,000+ per season, reaching the mark five times consecutively from 2018-2022 (he had 996 in 2018, his rookie season). 

2018: 192 carries, 996 yards, 5.2 average, eight touchdowns

2019: 298 carries, 1,494 yards, 5.0 average, eight touchdowns

2020: 190 carries, 1,067 yards, 5.6 average, 12 touchdowns

2021: 228 carries, 1,259 yards, 5.5 average, eight touchdowns

2022: 302 carries, 1,525 yards, 5.1 average, 12 touchdowns

If he could regain any of his form from years past, Houston's offense would benefit greatly. This is especially considering the plethora of new receiving weapons that needed time to adjust to the professional level. A quality run game would make acclimating to their brand new offene a lot easier during the season. 

Unfortunately, Chubb didn't have the impact that many thought he would.

He started modestly in week one against the Los Angeles Rams with 60 rushing yards and no scores. He then broke out against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week two for a 25-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to almost win the game for Houston.

At the time, some thought that run signaled Chubb being officially "back". Alas, it was merely a flash in the pan moment for the eighth-year veteran. 

Over the next two games against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans, Chubb rushed for only 38 and 47 yards, respectively (and no scores). 

Week five would then become arguably the best game of Chubb's season, as he rushed for 61 yards (season-high) on 5.5 yards a carry, and a 27-yard touchdown run (second longest of the season). He then followed that up with a five-carry, 16-yard performance against the Seattle Seahawks in week seven. 

Three weeks later, Chubb was essentially phased out of the starting role in favor of Marks and his ability to better complement the offense at the time. 

After Chubb received 91 carries combined from weeks 1-9, he only toted the ball 31 more times from weeks 10-18. That's roughly a 60% drop in usage, which essentially sealed Chubb's place as a backup option on the depth chart heading into the postseason. 

In said postseason, Chubb's best game came in the AFC Wildcard round against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he ran for 48 yards on only 10 carries (no scores). 

It didn't take long for news regarding Chubb's future to come out when the Texans' offseason officially began Sunday afternoon after losing in the AFC Divisional round against the New England Patriots. 

Unofficially, yet officially, Texans fans can count on Chubb no longer donning battle red as a teammate in the city of Houston. 

The question then becomes, where does Houston go from here when considering they have neither Mixon nor Chubb to bank on heading into 2026? 

Do they draft multiple rookies? Is there a quality option in free agency? How should they approach only having Marks and Jawhar Jordan as contributors on the roster? 

Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below and by mentioning us at @Texans_RTB and @Texans.Roundtable on TikTok!