Texans 2015 QB situation could include both Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer
Posted on March 8, 2015 | By John McClain
If their price is right, the Texans can have quarterbacks Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer competing for the starting job next season.
But interest from multiple teams might drive up Hoyers price too high for the Texans, who are trying to re-sign Mallett and outside linebacker Brooks Reed.
After re-signing right tackle Derek Newton and cornerback Kareem Jackson on Saturday, the Texans turned their attention to Mallett and Reed.
Coach Bill OBrien is excited to have back Jackson and Newton.
What we try to do is do the best we can to keep our core players together, and Kareem and Derek are two guys that are core players, OBrien said Sunday at the Sowciak Olympics of Houston annual fundraiser. Theyre agreat example of hard work and perseverance.
Guys that come into this organization and are good citizens and play hard and do everything that theyre asked of, theyre going to get rewarded, and thats what happened with Kareem and Derek.
The Texans would like to get Mallett and Reed under contract before they hit the open market on Tuesday.
Josh McCowns three-year, $14 million contract with Cleveland seems to be the starting point in negotiations for veteran quarterbacks.
Although free agency begins at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, teams can negotiate with agents for any player whose contract expires at the deadline that signals the start of the new league year.
They can sign their free agents anytime but cant sign opposing free agents until the start of free agency.
Its clear but certainly not guaranteed that second-year coach Bill OBrien wants to have Mallett and Hoyer competing for the starting job.
Hoyer, 29, has at least four teams interested. The Texans and New York Jets would give him a chance to compete for the starting job. San Francisco and Buffalo would want him as a backup.
New Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan, who was the Texans director of college scouting, wants Hoyer to compete with Geno Smith. The Jets have more cap space than the Texans.
The Jets also like Mallett. Maccagnan could zero in on Hoyer or Mallett the one who doesnt sign first with the Texans.
If the Texans are able to sign Mallett and Hoyer, Ryan Fitzpatrick could be headed to the Jets. Maccagnan also is familiar with Fitzpatrick from last season.
Fitzpatrick has one year left on his contract at $3.25 million. If he is cut or traded, the Texans could add that total to their cap space.
If Hoyer comes to Houston, it would be like a family reunion.
In 2011, OBrien was New Englands offensive coordinator. George Godsey, the Texans quarterbacks coach, was an offensive assistant with the Patriots. Hoyer was in his third season with OBrien. Mallett was a rookie third-round draft choice.
In 2009 and 2010, Hoyer backed up Tom Brady.
In 2012, the Patriots kept Mallett over Hoyer, who went from New England to Pittsburgh to Arizona and to Cleveland in 2013. He played the last two seasons with the Browns.
Hoyer was 3-0 as a starter in 2013 before suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. He was 7-6 last season, including 6-3 before he finished 1-3 and turned it over to rookie Johnny Manziel.
After beginning the season with seven touchdown passes and one interception during a 3-2 start, Hoyer finished with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Fitzpatrick is still recovering from the fractured fibula he suffered in the Dec. 14 loss at Indianapolis. Hes expected to make a complete recovery.
Fitzpatrick, 32, played one of his best seasons in 12 starts last season. He threw for 2,483 yards, completed 63.1 percent, had 17 touchdowns, eight interceptions and a career-best 95.3 rating.
Brian Hoyer, who played for the Browns last season, could be in the Texans' plans for 2015. (Associated Press / Bill Wippert)
Brian Hoyer, who played for the Browns last season, could be in the Texans plans for 2015. (Associated Press / Bill Wippert)
The Jets also like Mallett. Maccagnan could zero in on Hoyer or Mallett the one who doesnt sign first with the Texans.
If the Texans are able to sign Mallett and Hoyer, Ryan Fitzpatrick could be headed to the Jets. Maccagnan also is familiar with Fitzpatrick from last season.
Fitzpatrick has one year left on his contract at $3.25 million. If he is cut or traded, the Texans could add that total to their cap space.
If Hoyer comes to Houston, it would be like a family reunion.
In 2011, OBrien was New Englands offensive coordinator. George Godsey, the Texans quarterbacks coach, was an offensive assistant with the Patriots. Hoyer was in his third season with OBrien. Mallett was a rookie third-round draft choice.
In 2009 and 2010, Hoyer backed up Tom Brady.
In 2012, the Patriots kept Mallett over Hoyer, who went from New England to Pittsburgh to Arizona and to Cleveland in 2013. He played the last two seasons with the Browns.
Hoyer was 3-0 as a starter in 2013 before suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. He was 7-6 last season, including 6-3 before he finished 1-3 and turned it over to rookie Johnny Manziel.
After beginning the season with seven touchdown passes and one interception during a 3-2 start, Hoyer finished with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.