The Houston Texans are 1-3 to start the 2025 NFL season. With Houston's surprising slow start, there is a chance it could make some players expendable at the NFL trade deadline if they don't start stringing wins together.
During the Week 4 game against the Tennessee Titans, rookie running back Jo'Quavious Marks had more carries than Nick Chubb, 17-13. Is Marks going to be the lead back for Houston moving forward over Chubb? If this is the case, is it possible that the Texans will trade him away before the NFL trade deadline?
Nick Chubb mentioned in trade talks
Matt Verderame of Sports Illustrated posted a mock trade for every NFL team that should be made before the 2025 NFL trade deadline. He has Chubb being traded to the Los Angeles Chargers for a conditional seventh-round pick.
"After losing veteran running back Najee Harris to a torn Achilles in Week 3, the Chargers should be scouring the market for a reliable backup for rookie Omarion Hampton," Verderame wrote.
"With the Texans at 1–3, Chubb could be expendable on his one-year deal. Through four games, the 29-year-old has 188 rushing yards on 4.0 yards per carry. He’d be the perfect low-cost addition for coordinator Greg Roman, who during his 11 years as a play-caller with the 49ers, Bills, Ravens and Chargers has seen his team ranked in the top five seven times in rushing attempts."
Rookie Omarion Hampton is the lead back for the Chargers for now. With that being said, they could use a reliable number two running back, and Chubb would be perfect for a team that is a playoff contender.
He is on a one-year deal with Houston. This is why they could potentially trade him. So far this season with Houston, he has rushed for 188 yards on 47 carries and one touchdown, along with averaging 4.0 yards per carry.
Chubb has also caught seven passes for 46 yards receiving and zero touchdowns, along with averaging 6.6 yards per carry. If he is going to see the field less, it would make sense for Houston to trade him to a team like the Chargers or another playoff contender.
Marks was a fourth-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Texans probably want to make him the starting running back moving forward.
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