The Houston Texans were so impressed with Matt Schaub in 2012 they gave him a long-term contract after one game. The quarterback pocketed $22 million at the end of the season. At the time it seemed worth the money as the Texans had back-to-back seasons of postseason play. However, four games into the 2013 season and there are already rumors that Schaub's future may get cut short.
The Texans are 2-2 which is certainly not bad, but for Texans fans it is not good enough. Schaub finished Sunday's loss to the Seattle Seahawks going 31-of-49 in passing for 355 yards and two interceptions. The pick-six in the final five minutes of the game had fans outraged as the Seahawks got the go-ahead touchdown and the eventual win. Paying no attention to the fact that Schaub was the reason the Texans remained in the game in the first place, fans have seen enough from the quarterback.
Schaub has now thrown a pick six in three straight games. Fans responded by burning the quarterback's jersey in the parking lot after the loss. They certainly give up quickly. Schaub admitted after the game that the loss hurt and that he is the one that needs to make improvements.
Pro Football Talk reports that Schaub could technically be released at the end of the season in order for the team to gain salary cap space. If the Texans cut Schaub by a June 1 deadline, they only take a $3.5 million cut compared to the $7 million hit that would take place in 2015. If Schaub keeps this performance up, his future is officially on the line.
Is it too early to give up on Schaub? Yes. Can the Texans win if a pick six is thrown in every game? No. In short, a benching this early is not going to solve much. This can really be summed up to a bad stretch of games and not a sign of the future in Texas. Remember, Joe Flacco threw five interceptions on Sunday. He won a Super Bowl last season. Ravens fans are not going around a burning his jersey.
Would the team be better off in the hands of Case Keenum or T.J. Yates? That is highly doubtful. Both young quarterbacks might not throw a pick six in three straight games, but it is unlikely they would be more productive than Schaub right now. Players have not lost faith in the quarterback and neither should fans.
"If anybody's lost faith in him, I don't see it," wide receiver Andre Johnson said, via Houston Chronicle. So go easy on the guy, Houston.
