The Houston Texans are attempting to figure out their exact quarterback roster before likely drafting a rookie No. 1 overall. Matt Schaub has no shot at returning as the starting quarterback, or even returning at all. That leaves TJ Yates and Case Keenum. Both quarterbacks attempted a starting role and failed to succeed. While the team prepares to try their hand at a rookie quarterback, a trade will come first.
The Texans have been playing the "will they or won't they" game when it comes to Schaub. They could release the veteran quarterback. They could trade the veteran quarterback. They could retain the veteran quarterback. Houston has tossed around all three options, but has yet to commit to one. Head coach Bill O'Brien wants a veteran on the roster as a mentor and potential starter, but is he all-in on Schaub as the guy?
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Texans are now actively shopping Schaub in a trade. The team is aware that if they release the veteran, he instantly becomes the best available quarterback on the free agent market. As a result, they are in no rush to simply let him go. If Houston cannot receive anything in return for Schaub then they retain him. However, if teams like the Cleveland Browns or Oakland Raiders bite on the veteran, where do the Texans look?
Rapoport continues to say that Mark Sanchez is the team's top target to fill the roster spot. Sanchez is still a member of the New York Jets. The team has until March 25 to determine what to do with the former first-round pick because he is owed $2 million in roster bonuses at that time. It is almost a guarantee that Sanchez is released. He is a heavy salary cap hit and the Jets do not want to pay a backup $2 million in incentives.
Once the Texans see that Sanchez is on the market, Schaub is gone. O'Brien reportedly views Sanchez as a player that could be both a mentor backup or starter. Getting the quarterback could mean the rookie drafted does not have to start immediately. Sanchez could step in while the young quarterback develops and the Texans likely would not take a step back as a result.
All of this hinges on what the Jets opt to do with Sanchez. If New York releases him, expect the Texans to start making serious moves.
