NFL Free Agency Alert: Nick Chubb set to sign with Texans pending physical

The Houston Texans look set to bolster their ground game in 2025 with the addition of veteran running back Nick Chubb, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The former Cleveland Browns star is expected to put pen to paper on a deal Monday—pending a clean bill of health following a physical with the team.

If it goes through, Houston will be just the second stop in Chubb’s NFL journey. He spent his first seven seasons donning the brown and orange after being drafted 35th overall by Cleveland in 2018.

Now 29 and approaching his 30th birthday in December, Chubb arrives in Houston after two injury-hit campaigns. A brutal knee injury in Week 2 of the 2023 season—torn MCL and damaged ACL—sidelined him for most of that year, and he didn’t return to the field until Week 7 of the 2024 season. His comeback was again cut short in Week 15 by a broken foot.

In eight appearances last year, Chubb managed 332 yards on 102 carries (3.3 yards per rush), notching three touchdowns on the ground. He also chipped in with five catches for 31 yards and one score through the air. Should everything go to plan, Chubb will slot into a Texans backfield that already includes Joe Mixon.

Mixon, now 28, carried the load for the Texans in 2024, racking up 1,016 rushing yards and punching in 11 touchdowns. He also contributed 36 receptions for 309 yards and a receiving score. But beyond him, Houston lacked reliable depth in the backfield. That could soon change. If Nick Chubb can stay healthy, pairing him with Mixon would give the Texans one of the most dangerous backfield tandems in the league.

Behind Mixon, the Texans currently have Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale, and fourth-round rookie Woody Marks out of Southern California—solid options, but none with the pedigree of Chubb.

Had Chubb remained in Cleveland, touches would’ve likely been hard to come by. The Browns are now committed to Jerome Ford and spent early draft capital on Ohio State standout Quinshon Judkins in Round 2, before adding Dylan Sampson from Tennessee in Round 4. With a crowded backfield there, Chubb’s path to carries was narrowing—making Houston a more logical landing spot for a fresh start.

Here's some of the quick reaction from the NFL world on the news:

Coming off a 10-7 campaign, Houston is eyeing a third straight AFC South title, and adding Chubb to the mix could help them power through once again.