Texans Free Agent Devin Singletary Signing With New York Giants
The Houston Texans have lost their leading rusher.
The New York Giants and Devin Singletary have agreed to terms on a three-year, $16.5 million deal worth up to $19.5 million, according to reports. Singletary heads back to the state of New York after a one-year stay in the AFC South.
Signed to a one-year, $3 million deal last offseason, Singletary took over as the lead back in place of Dameon Pierce midseason. He became the focal point of the Texans' ground game, rushing for a career-high 898 yards and four touchdowns.
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Outside of the free-agent find, Houston struggled to find any traction on the ground. Pierce, the breakout rookie drafted out of Florida in 2022, rushed for a career-low 2.9 yards per carry. As a unit, the Texans averaged 3.1 yards per attempt and scored a combined three touchdowns, finishing 22nd in rushing.
Houston was one of 11 teams to average less than 100 yards per game.
The Giants were in the market for a new lead back following Saquon Barkley's departure to the Philadelphia Eagles on a three-year contract. Singletary, 26, said following Houston's playoff loss to Baltimore that he'd love to play for a "rising team with great fan atmosphere" but it would come down to salary.
“Devin is made of the right stuff," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said earlier at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. "He’s a hard worker. He’s a leader. He shows up every day in practice with a great attitude, and the guys around him feed off of that.”
Houston tried to retain Singletary, sources told TexansDaily.com, but the two could never see eye-to-eye on a long-term deal. He'll now join former Bills offensive coordinator and current Giants head coach Brian Dabboll as potentially the new lead back in a crucial year.
Where does Houston turn next? Options are slim on the open market following Monday's legal tampering period. Tony Pollard, who was a potential target for Houston according to sources, signed a three-year deal worth $24 million with the Tennessee Titans.
D'Andre Swift, another potential Texans' target, agreed to terms on a three-year, $24 million contract with the Chicago Bears. Former Las Vegas Raiders star Josh Jacobs also is off the market after agreeing to terms with the Green Bay Packers.
Former Offensive Player of the Year and Titans running back Derrick Henry remains on the market, but sources have told TexansDaily.com that Baltimore remains the favorite to land him. Houston could pivot towards Aaron Jones, who was released by the Packers following Jacobs' signing.
The Texans also could target a younger option in the draft to build alongside Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud. Several options include Texas' Jonathon Brooks, Michigan's Blake Corum, Oregon's Bucky Irving, and Florida State's Trey Benson, among others.
