The Houston Texans overhauled their running back room this offseason, losing Devin Singletary to the New York Giants while trading for Joe Mixon to replace him as the starter.
While the change atop the depth chart was a big headline, another under-the-radar move was made to maintain some stability at the position.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Texans are re-signing RB and core special teamer Dare Ogunbowale, who specializes as a third-down back and most notably kicked a go-ahead 29-yard field goal in the fourth quarter last season.
The #Texans are re-signing RB and core special teamer Dare Ogunbowale, source said. A third-down back, Ogunbowale earned national fame with a successful field goal last season, and with the new kickoff rules, anything is possible. He gets a 1-year deal. pic.twitter.com/3r6j0nreEk
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 21, 2024
Ogunbowale is getting a 1-year deal and could be an even bigger part of the team this year due to the new kickoff rules, which could inspire more creativity and place more value on having reliable special teams players on the roster.
Ogunbowale only had eight carries last season and has 457 career rushing yards and four touchdowns, but brings tremendous value as one of the league’s best special teams players.
He has played the last two seasons in Houston and has been a regular on special teams during that time, spending most of his time covering kicks or blocking aside from the time he was called on to kick a clutch field goal last season after kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn got injured.
Ogunbowale was the first position player to kick a field goal since 2004.
The 30-year-old will be keeping his role and returning to the Texans for a third year, and it will be interesting to see if the team expands his role given the new kickoff format.