Texans Sign RB Nick Chubb to 1-Year Deal Worth up to $5M

This would have been a blockbuster deal two offseasons ago, but coming off a second-straight year muddled by injuries and entering his age-29 season, it’s hard to figure that Chubb will play any kind of fantasy-relevant role besides being a potential early-down handcuff to Joe Mixon. Chubb spent the majority of the beginning of this offseason in limbo with the Browns, who faced the decision of whether or not to retain the franchise’s third-leading rusher for another year in Cleveland. After a few months as a free agent, it became clear that whatever role Chubb landed in wouldn’t be a starting one in the NFL, and he brings more presence in the locker room than on the field to Houston in 2025 at this point. Just as fantasy managers shouldn’t be swinging for Chubb in late rounds – Dameon Pierce still figures to be the favorite for the number two job – they also shouldn’t let the addition of Chubb scare them off drafting Joe Mixon. Mixon tallied nearly 300 touches despite playing just 14 games in 2024, and he’s slated to reprise that role in the Texans backfield once again this year barring injury. At the end of the day, the complexion of the backfield remains largely unchanged – but don’t rule out a token feel-good touchdown or two for Chubb in games where the Texans are well ahead or distantly trailing.