Don't look now, but one-third of the NFL regular season is already behind us. Most teams know who they are at this point in the season, and for the 2-4 Houston Texans, it's about proving you're better than your record. The Texans have picked it up over the past two weeks with two wins, and they also traded for wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. ESPN analyst Ben Solak predicted the Texans to make an even bigger move next: trade for Saquon Barkley.
The Texans finished No. 22 in the NFL in rushing yards in 2025 (1,852). They finished with the same ranking in 2023, and they were No. 31 in 2022. Houston had an average rushing attack in 2024 (No. 15), but has otherwise struggled on the ground under head coach DeMeco Ryans. Despite their brutal 0-4 start to the season, the Texans have a playoff-caliber roster, and the addition of Barkley would raise their stock exponentially.
Houston running back David Montgomery is week-to-week with a groin injury. Woody Marks can produce in certain situations, but he doesn't seem capable of being a lead back. Add in the fact the Texans have one of the best rosters in the NFL, and it's easier to see why this move makes sense. Although, it must also make sense for the Eagles.
What happens if the Texans land Saquon Barkley?
If Barkley gets moved to Houston, he would be its best running back since Arian Foster. The offense would change instantly, because Barkley is the type of player that alters gameplans. Offensively, you have to make sure he gets touches, and defensively, you have to keep him accounted for. Neither has been true for Montgomery or Marks this season.
Barkley has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury, but it shouldn't be enough to keep Texans general manager Nick Caserio from calling. Barkley is averaging 5.1 yards per carry so far this season, and he's doing so behind a bad offensive line. The Texans don't have elite blockers, but they would certainly be an upgrade from what he's been experiencing in Philadelphia. Out of the five offensive lineman that started for the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, only two remain on the roster, with one currently on injured reserve.
Here is why Solak thinks the trade could happen:
"... I love the idea of GM Nick Caserio, fresh off the Marvin Harrison Jr. deal, doubling down on the offense and adding Barkley to a backfield that he has yet to solve in Houston. The Texans are once again on pace to have a bottom-5 rushing attack, but Barkley has the talent behind the line of scrimmage to help cover for a shaky interior offensive line group. By forcing opposing defenses to play more heavy boxes by formation and by the presence of Barkley, the 2-4 Texans could pull further defensive attention away from receiver Nico Collins and field an offense really worthy of a comeback run into the playoffs."
The money side of it might be the trickiest part, but with all of the salary cap gymnastics happening these days, it shouldn't hold the Texans back from trying to get him. Additionally, Houston announced running back Jawhar Jordan has been moved to the practice squad injured list after providing a spark against the Jacksonville Jaguars. It might be time to make a call to the city of brotherly love.
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