The Houston Texans enter free agency with question marks across the offensive line and at the wide receiver position. On Friday, the Texans began to address the offensive line, releasing veteran guard Shaq Mason after C.J. Stroud was sacked 52 times this past season.
That likely won’t be the only move to the offensive line this offseason. As for the wide receiver spot, the Texans made a surprising interdivision trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars for veteran Christian Kirk.
Kirk gives Houston another pass catching threat as Tank Dell rehabs from a devastating knee injury. Despite Houston acquiring Kirk, the Texans must figure out if they are bringing back star wideout Stefon Diggs in free agency.
However, one position that the team won’t have to worry about is running back, as Joe Mixon is set to lead the way in 2025. The 28-year-old running back is coming off a good first season with the Texans, racking up 1,325 scrimmage yards and 12 total touchdowns.
With Mixon under contract for another season, that doesn’t spell good news for Dameon Pierce and his future with the team.
Texans RB Dameon Pierce on Thin Ice Entering Free Agency
The former fourth-round pick saw his production drop in 2024 as he had 293 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 40 carries. After playing 64 and 32 percent of offensive snaps, his first two years in the league, Pierce played a career-worst 16 percent (111) this past season.
In fact, veteran Dare Ogunbowale played more offensive snaps (310/28 percent) than Pierce, which is not a good sign. The 30-year-old Ogunbowale was re-signed to a one-year, $1.2 million deal last week.
While Ogunbowale might be older than Pierce, he offers more from a special teams angle and as a pass catcher out of the backfield (19 receptions for 198 yards and a touchdown). And not to mention, this year’s draft class is loaded at RB, so it would not be shocking to see Houston go after someone.
As for Pierce, he’s entering the last year of his rookie contract before becoming an impending unrestricted free agent in 2026. If things stay like they were in 2024, Pierce could become a potential candidate to be moved at the trade deadline during the regular season.