The Houston Texans may part ways with Andre Johnson this offseason and the team could look at his trade or release and if that happens, the cap space could allow them to pull off another deal, as Jay Cutler, Nick Foles, Brandon Marshall or Mike Glennon could be potential trade targets and this comes as Ryan Mallett is hitting free agency.
The Texans went 9-7 last season after winning just two games the previous year and that is why many expect the team to upgrade at quarterback. Head coach Bill O'Brien hinted after the season that he felt the team was good enough to make the playoffs and that if they had some more consistent play at QB, they might have been able to sneak in. The Texans have a question at starting quarterback and this offseason they could look at the free agent market or trades to answer it.
The Texans will clear a nice amount of cap space if they get rid of Andre Johnson and that could open up some options for the team. O'Brien likely wants an upgrade at quarterback and players like Jay Cutler, Nick Foles, Kirk Cousins and Mike Glennon along with Sam Bradford are potentially available in trades. Cutler's name has come up since he was benched back in Week 16 of the season for Jimmy Clausen, while Chip Kelly reportedly will look at trading Foles in the hopes of moving up to get Marcus Mariota in the NFL draft.
Bradford came up in trade rumors with the Bills, but they ended up going for Matt cassel in a deal with the Vikings. Kirk Cousins and Mike Glennon were mentioned by the Buffalo News as potential targets for the Bills before they traded for Cassel and they could be options for the Texans. According to NJ.com, the Rams are interested in Foles and if they pursue that deal, there is a chance that Bradford could eventually get moved.
The Eagles just traded LeSean McCoy to the Bills and they could continue down that track with Foles if Kelly really wants Mariota. The Texans could be interested in making the deal, as Foles has been a solid starter for Kelly over the last two seasons, winning 14 games in that time. Last season Foles dealt with a shoulder injury and missed the second half of the year. Cutler has a huge contract, but the Texans could see it as a worthwhile risk to upgrade at the position, even though Cutler is coming off of a tough season.
Mallett is on the free agent market and said he is interested in returning and he could be re-signed either way and could serve as the first string backup. According to the Chicago Tribune, the Bears are shopping Marshall in trades and if the Texans look at Cutler they also could bring in Marshall. The team reportedly has interest in former Dolphins WR Brian Hartline and this comes as Andre Johnson is likely on his way out. According to the Houston Chronicle, the Texans have given permission for Johnson to seek trades and he could be released if they don't find a deal. UPDATE: Brandon Marshall has been traded to the Jets.