NFL free agency has plenty of players on the move, but Matt Schaub might not be one of them. The Houston Texans' quarterback has found his future up in the air after a terrible 2013 season. With a new coaching staff in place it has been assumed the veteran will get released sooner rather than later. However, free agency has arrived and so far Schaub is still on the roster. Does it stay that way?
Schaub is already gaining interest from several teams in need of a veteran backup. However, Schaub might not be as available as originally assumed. Mike Garafolo of the Houston Chronicle reports that the Texans want the best available veteran quarterback and have realized if Schaub is released, he instantly becomes that guy. He would likely rank ahead of both Michael Vick and Josh McCown given his experience and resume.
The news of Schaub's likely return comes after wide receiver Andre Johnson told media that he was hopeful his quarterback would be back with the team in 2014. Johnson told ESPN.com that he and Schaub already have workouts scheduled for the offseason and he was confident that the veteran would be back in some capacity.
Schaub might be staying with the Texans, but he will not be the starter if all goes according to plan. The Texans hold the No. 1 overall draft pick this year. They will either trade it for a quarterback or draft a quarterback. Either option has the acquired player penciled in as the starter.
NFL sources believe the Texans could be the frontrunner for a trade for Patriots backup Ryan Mallett. Head coach Bill O'Brien knows what Mallett is capable of and what kind of system he comes from. That familiarity could persuade the Texans to make a pull for the third-year backup despite the fact that Mallett has thrown exactly one pass in a regular season game. He is Tom Brady's backup which overshadows everything.
If the Texans do not trade for a quarterback, they will drat either Blake Bortles or Johnny Maziel No. 1 overall and have Schaub be their mentor. It is too early to say which quarterback is favored, but O'Brien worked for Bortles' college coach for many years which gives the rookie a slight edge over the former Texas A&M star.
