The Houston Texans are coming into 2015 after a bounce back season and moving forward the team may consider a trade with Andre Johnson as he gets older, while the quarterback situation could see the team explore Jay Cutler or RG3 trades, a Kirk Cousins or Sam Bradford deal as well as signing someone like Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett or Mark Sanchez on the free agent market.
The Texans basically wasted a first round pick on Jadeveon Clowney due to injuries and they may have been better served picking a quarterback. The team likely wouldn't want Johnny Manziel looking back in the draft anyway, but Blake Bortles and Teddy Bridgewater had some positive development this year and they could have been solid options for the Texans. Clowney isn't a waste moving forward, but he was a waste for the 2014 season and now after dealing with surgery he could miss the start of 2015 for the Texans.
According to the Houston Chronicle, Johnson could be on his way out after the season in a trade or release, as he is getting paid a high amount of money and is 33 years old, going on 34 heading into next season. DeAndre Hopkins has emerged as a number one and that could lead to the Texans making a trade, which was rumored before the season started when Johnson had a sort of holdout in camp.
Some could argue that had the Texans had a better quarterback this season they would be in the playoffs and that could spark Bill O'Brien to make a major move in the offseason. Names like Ryan Mallett, Mark Sanchez, Sam Bradford and Christian Ponder all could be on the market and while Mallett was with the team last season, he is an option to return. While Mallett, Sanchez or Bradford may not be great upgrades over Ryan Fitzpatrick, they could perform better over a stretch than he did for the Texans.
Either way, there is a good chance the team has a new starting QB next season. Tom Savage was drafted, but he needs time to develop and if O'Brien brings in a short-term, "bridge" quarterback he could be a future option for the team. The Texans may consider Brian Hoyer, as he could be a short term option as they develop or draft another QB. Pro Football Talk reported that Hoyer could be a potential option for the team, as he is a free agent after his season with the Browns.
Hoyer got the team off to a 7-4 start before faltering down the stretch and getting benched, but that open to the season could get teams interested. The Browns were in the playoff race until then and teams like the Texans, Titans and Jets could be potential fits for Hoyer. Sam Bradford is expected to be back with the Rams, but if he is released a team like the Texans could step up. A deal for RG3 or Kirk Cousins could also be potential options.
Arian Foster always gives the team a chance and he had a very strong season, helping the team rank fifth in rushing yards per game. The team ranked 24th in passing yards per game and that is one area where they need to improve. The team ended the season 9-7 after winning just two games last year and now O'Brien has the chance to keep things moving in the right direction.