In his first season with the Houston Texans, running back Nick Chubb has done everything asked of him: run the ball with physicality and be a part of a running back-by-committee approach.
In Week 5 against the Baltimore Ravens, Chubb carried the ball 11 times for 61 yards and a touchdown, arguably his best game of the season. With starter Joe Mixon potentially returning to the lineup soon and rookie Woody Marks breaking out as of late, Chubb’s services could be unneeded in Houston.
Four teams could act as potential landing spots if the Texans decide to broach the trade market.
Los Angeles Chargers
With Omarion Hampton now on injured reserve and reserve Najee Harris dealing with his own ailments, the Los Angeles Chargers are prime candidates to add to their running back room.
Chubb would fit the physical rushing attack that offensive coordinator Greg Roman covets. Though he may not be able to fulfill the bell-cow role that Hampton was shaping up to be, the combination of him, Harris, and fellow reserves Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins should be up to the job.
Quarterback Justin Herbert will almost certainly be asked to do more through the air and with his legs, but aiding him with Chubb would be a smart decision.
New England Patriots
With Antonio Gibson out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL, the New England Patriots could be in the market for a running back to complement starter Rhamondre Stevenson. Rookie TreVeyon Henderson is an option, but it doesn’t appear he’s earned the trust of head coach Mike Vrabel.
In addition, Stevenson has had ball security issues since he joined the league, and added to that concern on Sunday night against the Buffalo Bills.
Chubb, an eight-year veteran, has fumbled just seven times in his career and could be counted on to run for 40-to-50 yards a week — even more than what Gibson was counted on for.
At 3-2, the Patriots could be a factor in the playoff picture. Solidifying their running back with Chubb should be at the top of their trade list.
Green Bay Packers
Although the Green Bay Packers have one of the best all-purpose backs in the league, Josh Jacobs, the load has been too much through four games played. He’s averaging 20 carries a game, a mark that will likely wear him down as the season progresses.
With the Packers harboring Super Bowl hopes, they must find a way to lighten Jacobs’s load.
Enter Chubb, averaging just under 12 carries per game this season. If he could carry the ball, say eight times, that’d be a handful fewer carries for Jacobs and allow him to stay fresh late in games and stay healthy for the season’s stretch run.
Los Angeles Rams
Another team with an established bell-cow, the Los Angeles Rams, has known for multiple seasons that they need to lighten the load, for starters, Kyren Williams. Through five games, he’s carried the ball 82 times.
Backup Blake Corum, a third-round pick in 2024, hasn’t met expectations and has yet to solidify himself as a consistent presence in the backfield. The former Michigan standout is averaging under five carries per game this season.
Chubb is clearly more accomplished and could be trusted more than Corum, who had a key lost fumble in the Rams’ Week 5 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
The Rams need to capitalize while quarterback Matthew Stafford is still on the roster, making this a move well worth making.