With C.J. Stroud under rookie contract until at least 2025, the Texans have a unique chance. They can build around a low-cost quarterback who demonstrated superstar potential as a rookie. The organization made several moves to capitalize this summer, breaking away from Nick Caserio’s conservative approach to free agency in the previous three seasons.
The Texans added Stefon Diggs, Danielle Hunter, Azeez Al-Shaair, and Denico Autry. Houston also intended to bring in a higher-paid running back, but the team’s mutual interest in Saquon Barkley did not result in a deal. Despite having Jalen Hurts on a $51 million per year contract, the Eagles signed Barkley to a three-year, $37.75 million deal that includes a $26 million guarantee at signing. Barkley is the NFL’s fourth-highest-paid running back, cashing in after the Giants’ discussions resulted in a lower offer and a franchise tag last summer.
According to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, Houston was willing to go into this neighbourhood for Barkley, and the team gave the two-time Pro Bowler a three-year contract worth little more than $33 million. The AAV here is slightly lower than Barkley’s $12.58MM Philadelphia estimate, but given the Eagles’ guarantee at signing, it’s not surprising that the 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year made the decision he did.
The wave of RB contracts permitted in the early 2020s resulted in a few high-profile departures, wage cutbacks, and moves. Ezekiel Elliott, Dalvin Cook, Aaron Jones, Joe Mixon, and Derrick Henry are no longer signed to eight-figure contracts. The Browns reduced Nick Chubb’s salary last month since the perennial Pro Bowler is coming off two knee surgeries, while Josh Jacobs’ Packers contract only has a $12.5 million guarantee at signing. Given the status of the RB position, Barkley did well to secure the guarantee as he enters his eighth season.
Barkley, 27, stated that he was drawn to the Texans before considering the Eagles. However, the Penn State alum has strong links to Pennsylvania, as much of his family resides there. Despite having more cap room than the Eagles, the Texans passed on Barkley. The organization quickly offered Hunter an almost guaranteed contract and made an interesting commitment to Mixon. Just as the Bengals were about to release their seven-year starter, the Texans agreed to trade a seventh-round pick for the veteran back. Mixon quickly agreed to new terms with the Texans: two years and $19.75 million ($13 million guaranteed).
According to Wilson, the Texans ended up handing Mixon a better deal than they provided to Devin Singletary. The organization also offered its primary 2023 starter a contract worth $4MM per year. Singletary committed to a three-year, $16.5 million contract (with $9.5 million completely guaranteed) to reunite with Brian Daboll in New York.
According to a Wilson pre-free agency report, the Texans did discuss contract terms with Tony Pollard and D’Andre Swift. Pollard signed with the Titans for three years and $21.75 million, while Swift became the first UFA from this year’s class to commit to a team, signing a three-year, $24 million contract with the Chicago Bears.
Only Barkley and Swift ($14MM) received more completely guaranteed money among this year’s free agent running backs than Mixon, who is coming off his fourth 1,000-yard rushing season but has 1,854 career touches, the third highest among active backs. Mixon is entering his age-28 season with the task of improving the Texans’ running attack, which finished 22nd last year.
The Texans will rely on Mixon, but Caserio stated (via SI.com’s Coty M. Davis) that Dameon Pierce, who followed up an excellent rookie season with a disappointing 2023, remains a “big part” of the team’s 2024 strategy. Last season, the 2022 fourth-rounder averaged just 2.9 yards per run, and Singletary took over as the Texans’ lead down the stretch. The younger back will have a shot to comeback, although in a now-Mixon-led backfield.
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