What's he been doing here the last three years? He's had the opportunity to earn the starting job since he's been here. Sure, he's not included in the "official" QB battle, but he's been there. In the meeting rooms, on the practice field, in the preseason.
Look, O'b & Rick were able to decide Osweiler could start for this team watching seven games on TV. Maybe they watched coaches film, maybe they watched each game twice. But when they were finished they said, "That guy can start for this team."
From the stands, Rick watched a sophomore play in the BCS Championship game & said, "That guy can start for this team."
Don't you think after working with Savage the last three years if there ever anything to make the Texans say, "That guy can start for this team." They wouldn't have gone after Osweiler or Watson?
I guarantee you if Deshaun Watson decided he wants to go on walk-a-bout tomorrow, The Texans will scramble to find a starting QB for 2017.