NFL free agency 2024: Texans lose tackle, sacks, and rushing leaders from 2023; also miss on Barkley

Houston also took a gut-punch when incumbent running back Devin Singletary reportedly chose to sign with the Giants.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — NFL observers predicted the Houston Texans would make a big splash to start the 2024 free-agency period, which began in earnest at 11 a.m. CT Monday.

After all, Texans general manager Nick Caserio had what Spotrac reported as the fifth-most salary cap space heading into the head-hunting spree at $63 million. And with a team trending upward behind a young core of C.J. Stroud, Tank Dell, and Dalton Schultz, Houston was expected to aim for significant prized free agents like Saquon Barkley.

A couple of hours later, H-Town will not have Stroud handing it off to Barkley anytime this season.

In fact, Texans fans were forced to see key players from last year’s AFC South championship team depart.

ABC13 Sports is keeping track of the additions and subtractions unfolding on one of the busiest offseason days in the league – for better or worse:

Depending on what sports pundit you trust, the Saquon Barkley-to-Houston rumors heated up in the last few weeks as it became more apparent that the New York Giants running back would not return and test free agency.

The 27-year-old, former second-overall draft pick would have been an excellent play-action passing decoy for Stroud heading into the NFL Rookie of the Year’s sophomore season. However, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Barkley will remain in the NFC East, choosing the Philadelphia Eagles, whom he agreed with on a three-year, $37.75 million deal, with $26 million guaranteed and a ceiling of $46.75 million if incentives are met.

ESPN’s D.J. Bien-Aime elaborated on the Texans’ offer to Barkley, which was a three-year, $33 million deal.

In one fell swoop, Barkley and other top free agent backs like Tony Pollard, who agreed with Tennesee, and D’Andre Swift, who landed with Chicago, were unavailable to the Texans.

So, that means good news for the Texans keeping incumbent RB1, Devin Singletary, who made the most of his one-year deal in Houston last year, right? Right?!