“I’ll Take a Pay Cut. I’ll Prove I’m a Good Fit. Just Let Me Stay” — Dameon Pierce’s Emotional Plea to Remain with the Houston Texans

HOUSTON, TX — In a rare and deeply human moment amidst the high-stakes world of professional football, Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce made an emotional and unexpected public plea to remain with the team that drafted him, developed him, and saw him rise from underdog to starter.

Facing growing rumors about a potential trade or release amid changing team dynamics and rising competition in the backfield, Pierce addressed reporters following an OTA session with a simple, heartfelt message:

“I’ll take a pay cut. I’ll prove I’m a good fit for the team. Just let me stay.”

🏈 A Star Once on the Rise

Drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Florida, Dameon Pierce quickly became a fan favorite in Houston thanks to his relentless running style, physical toughness, and infectious personality. His rookie campaign turned heads league-wide, finishing just short of 1,000 rushing yards despite missing time due to injury. He brought life to a Texans team in the midst of a rebuild, and many saw him as a foundational piece for the future.

However, the NFL is a fast-moving business. After the arrival of new offensive weapons and a shift in scheme under head coach DeMeco Ryans, Pierce found himself sharing snaps — and at times being overshadowed by emerging talent like Devin Singletary and rookies picked up in 2024 and 2025.

🔄 A Changing Backfield

Pierce’s production dipped in the 2023 and 2024 seasons, as the Texans began to expand their offense around star quarterback C.J. Stroud. With a greater emphasis on a pass-heavy, explosive offense, Pierce’s bruising, old-school style seemed to fall out of rhythm with Houston’s evolving identity.

Now, with new offensive coordinator shifts and whispers of cap space management, sources close to the organization say Pierce may be on the bubble — either as a trade piece or a potential cut before the regular season.

Rather than wait for a decision to come down, Pierce made his stance clear.

“This city believed in me when no one else did,” he said. “I owe Houston everything. I’ve got more to give. I just need the chance.”

💬 Teammates Rally in Support

Pierce’s heartfelt words were not lost on his teammates. Within minutes of his comments hitting social media, Texans stars like Laremy Tunsil, Tank Dell, and even rookie sensation Will Anderson Jr. posted messages of support.

“DP is one of the realest dudes in that locker room,” said Tunsil. “He fights for every yard, and he fights for this team. That kind of heart doesn’t show up in the box score.”

Quarterback C.J. Stroud, who developed a strong rapport with Pierce on and off the field, also spoke highly of his teammate.

“He’s the kind of guy you want going to battle with you. I hope we figure out a way to keep him here.”

🧠 A Coach’s Dilemma

Head coach DeMeco Ryans, known for his no-nonsense approach but also for his player-first mindset, was asked about Pierce’s comments after practice.

“Dameon’s a competitor. You love that passion. Nothing is set in stone right now. We’re evaluating everything to put the best roster on the field,” Ryans said.

When pressed if Pierce’s willingness to restructure his contract would factor into any decisions, Ryans paused before responding, “We take everything into account. The heart, the effort — that matters, too.”

🧢 The Fans Have Spoken

Texans fans didn’t hesitate to weigh in, flooding social media with the trending hashtag #KeepPierce. Many posted clips of Pierce breaking tackles in his rookie season, dragging defenders down the field, and playing through pain.

One fan wrote, “Pierce is Houston. You can’t coach heart. Let the man finish what he started.”

🔮 What’s Next?

There’s no official word yet on Pierce’s future. Insiders suggest that a potential restructured contract — with a lower base salary and performance-based incentives — could be a viable path forward. It would allow the Texans to maintain roster flexibility while honoring the grit and loyalty of a player who has already sacrificed much.

Whether or not Pierce remains on the 53-man roster this fall, his plea and the response it drew highlight a deeper truth in sports: numbers don’t always tell the full story. Sometimes, it’s the passion, the loyalty, and the voice of a player refusing to give up that resonates the loudest.

“I’m not asking for guarantees,” Pierce said. “Just a shot. A shot to prove I belong — right here in Houston.”

For a team and a city that loves a fighter, Dameon Pierce just reminded everyone why they fell in love with him in the first place.