The Houston Texans are continuing to work out exactly what their quarterback situation will look like next season. With the No. 1 overall draft pick, head coach Bill O'Brien could take the team in a number of directions. The team is poised to take a rookie with the No. 1 overall pick, but is also looking for insurance behind him. While that may not include former starter Matt Schaub, it might include another free agent.
Before the Texans can bring in someone new, they must decide what to do with Schaub. The veteran is a $14 million salary cap hit next year which all but seals his fate of being released sooner rather than later. O'Brien told NFL Network that it is still too early to predict Schaub's future with the team, but he is committed to no one as of now.
"We're always going to do what's best for our team," O'Brien said, via NFL.com. "What's best for our team are competitive players, hard-working guys that buy into our program, that are good teammates, that really perform well on the field. That's what we're looking for."
Releasing Schaub saves $4 million for Houston. Fans should consider that a done deal. The jury still remains on both Case Keenum and TJ Yates who have shown both promise and young quarterback struggles. Releasing Schaub leaves the Texans with nothing but youth at the position, something O'Brien is not sold on.
According NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, the Texans are highly interested in Matt Cassel. The quarterback is a free agent after opting out of his contract with the Minnesota Vikings. O'Brien is very familiar with Cassel. The two worked together when the head coach was an assistant during the quarterback's final two years in New England.
Cassel is a capable player who makes total sense for Houston. His contract would not eat up space like Schaub's currently is. He would be a strong veteran who can still make an impact on the field when needed and he can help develop any young player the team takes on.
If the Texans do sign Cassel, he will likely be playing backup to either Johnny Manziel or Blake Bortles. While most are assuming Houston is going to take one of the two quarterbacks in the draft, the team is staying quiet on who they prefer.