Free Agent Option Off the Board for Vikings
Some Minnesota Vikings fans would sleep easier if the team signed one more running back this offseason because the club’s RB1, Aaron Jones, will be 31 in December, and the newcomer, Jordan Mason, battled injuries last year.
One free agent, who could’ve been on the Vikings’ radar, is no longer an option, on his way to the Houston Texans if all goes according to plan.
If Minnesota’s front office and coaching staff agree, the odds of adding four-time Pro Bowler Nick Chubb dwindled to breadcrumbs on Sunday.
Chubb, a playmaker healing from major injuries in back-to-back seasons, is close to signing with the Houston Texans.
Nick Chubb Reportedly on the Way to Texans
NBC Sports‘ Myles Simmons wrote this weekend, “It appears there’s more than mutual interest between running back Nick Chubb and the Texans. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, Chubb is expected to sign with Houston if all goes well with his physical. Chubb, 29, played in eight games for the Browns last year after recovering from a season-ending knee injury suffered Week 2 of the 2023 season.”
“He rushed for 332 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 3.3 yards per carry. He caught five passes for 31 yards with a TD before ending the season early due to a broken foot. Chubb was a Browns second-round pick in 2018 and averaged over 5 yards per carry over the first six years of his career. But when Cleveland drafted a pair of running backs this spring, it became clear that the club was ready to move on.”
Pending a physical, Chubb should be a Texan by sundown on Monday.
Texans’ New RB Setup
If one assumes the deal goes through, Houston’s RB room will look like this for training camp and the preseason:
- Joe Mixon
- Nick Chubb
- Dameon Pierce
- Woody Marks
- Dare Ogunbowale
- J.J. Talor
- Jawhar Jordan
The group would blend experience and youth while shoving Marks, the rookie, slightly down the depth chart.
Earlier this offseason, Chubb was allegedly in the rumor mill for “an NFC North team,” creating speculation that the destination could be the Chicago Bears — or Vikings.
The rumor might’ve had some legs at the time, but Houston is on the cusp of locking Chubb in for 2025.
The Argument for an Extra Vikings RB
In reality, the Vikings probably don’t need a big-name running back like Chubb. But considering the franchise has traded for tailback Cam Akers in back-to-back seasons, it’s not unreasonable for folks to suggest an extra running back now, rather than training a 6th-Round pick for one in September or October.
And with Chubb as the highest-profile runner in the NFL’s marketplace, connecting him to the Vikings roster made a little sense.
Otherwise, with Chubb heading to the AFC South, and acknowledging that Minnesota hasn’t signed Akers, who remains a free agent, Minnesota might just be content with the current RB arrangement.
Roll with Ty Chandler at RB3 and Call It Good?
After the aforementioned Jones and Mason on the Vikings’ depth chart, Ty Chandler, Tre Stewart, and Zavier Scott round out the unit.
Akers has taken Chandler’s job two seasons in a row, but perhaps this time, Minnesota will just favor Chandler at RB3 and call it good. Chandler enters the final season of his rookie contract in 2025, so he’ll be ultra-motivated to prove his worth.
Texans-Themed Media Reaction to Nick Chubb + HOU
TexansWire‘s Cole Thompson wrote about the Chubb-to-Houston development: “Nick Chubb is headed to Houston. And if all goes to according to plan, he won’t be leaving anytime soon. One of the best available players on the free-agent market, Chubb has the potential to kickstart his career as a No. 2 option for Houston.”
“The Texans could pair Joe Mixon with the four-time Pro Bowler to shore up their backfield, which would become one of the league’s most interesting tandems entering this fall. The Texans need a stable secondary option with Mixon deal with lower body injuries over the last year. While he did rush for over 1,000 yards in his first season on a new three-year contract, he also missed three games with an ankle injury in September.”
Oddsmakers believe Houston will win 9.5 games this year.
Thompson added, “In eight games last season, Chubb compiled 332 yards on 102 rushes (3.3 yards per carry) and three rushing touchdowns. He also caught five passes for 31 yards and added a receiving touchdown. When healthy, Chubb has been one of the league’s top running backs. He’s a four-time Pro Bowler and rushed for at least 1,000 yards from 2019-2022.”
“His best season came in 2022, where he surpassed 1,525 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Texans return for mandatory minicamp on Tuesday.”
Chubb will turn 30 right after Christmas.
Popular Viking Formally Says Goodbye
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