The Houston Texans moved on from Arian Foster on Thursday, parting ways with the franchise's all-time leading rusher due to a combination of age, his significant cap hit, and injury history.
Foster missed 23 of the Texans' last 40 games and will turn 30 before the 2016 season starts. Once among the league's most-feared offensive players, Foster is likely looking at a role as a complimentary piece at his next stop, rather than as a featured back.
Complicating Foster's value is the fact he missed most of last season because of a torn Achilles, usually a death knell for 30-plus running backs. As a result, expect teams to wait until late in free agency to sign the four-time Pro Bowler, giving him time to prove he's healthy enough to start next season.
It's safe to assume, with the clock ticking on his career, Foster will be eyeing Super Bowl contenders, who should have the inside track on signing him.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos are an obvious choice, given Foster's connection to head coach Gary Kubiak. The two were together for five seasons in Houston, and he is a perfect fit for Kubiak's zone-based running scheme.
The Broncos struggled to adapt to the scheme during Kubiak's first season in charge, with Ronnie Hillman and C.J. Anderson both failing to solidify themselves as the long-term starter. With Hillman set to hit free agency, the team could look to pair Anderson - who, as a restricted free agent, is expected to return - with an experienced veteran like Foster.
Denver, however, will likely rely heavily on its run game, regardless of whether Brock Osweiler re-signs or not, so Foster's injury history could make the Broncos wary of taking a chance on him.
New England Patriots
The Patriots have made a habit out of squeezing the last few years of production from ageing running backs, and Foster could be a low-risk, high-reward option for head coach Bill Belichick.
With Tom Brady under center, Foster wouldn't be asked to shoulder the offensive burden. His skills catching the ball out of the backfield would also mesh well with Brady and the Patriots' offensive scheme.
What could keep the Patriots away from Foster is their commitment to Dion Lewis, who tore his ACL in Week 9. Two backs coming off major surgery might be unpalatable. New England's lack of cap room could also be an issue.
Oakland Raiders
Foster was a Raiders fan growing up, so it's fair to assume his boyhood team would be an enticing option.
What could also attract Foster to Oakland is the fact the Raiders finally appear to be headed in the right direction, with an offense loaded with young talents like quarterback Derek Carr, wide receiver Amari Cooper, and running back Latavius Murray, who had the first 1,000-yard season of his career in 2015.
Although they might not be Super Bowl contenders next season, the Raiders, with their enormous amount of cap space, could present Foster with an incentive-laden deal that other teams would struggle to match.
Green Bay Packers
In the past, the Packers have shied away from free agency, with linebacker Julius Peppers standing as the only major free-agent addition in recent years.
However, the franchise has indicated it could be more active in free agency than normal this offseason, and Foster can provide a reliable veteran presence to the Packers' backfield.
Eddie Lacy was a huge disappointment in 2015, battling injury and weight issues, and James Starks is set for free agency. Like in New England, Foster would take a backseat to Aaron Rodgers, limiting the rusher's snaps and keeping him fresh and healthy late into the season.
Washington Redskins
At first glance, the Redskins don't appear to be the most natural fit for Foster.
However, the Redskins employ a running scheme similar to the one Foster found success in with Houston, making his potential transition to a new club much smoother. Such familiarity could be especially important given he could miss a portion of the offseason recovering from the Achilles injury.
The Redskins' featured back of the past four seasons, Alfred Morris, is also set for free agency. While they possess several intriguing young options in Matt Jones and Chris Thompson, the Redskins sorely need veteran depth at the position.
