Matt Schaub expected to have interest from Browns, Raiders, Jets
Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) scrambles out of pocket against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at LP Field. The Titans won 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Texans veteran quarterback Matt Schaub will most likely receive his walking papers this offseason, as the team will likely move on from the expensive 32-year-old. I’m one of those people who believes that Schaub’s horrific 2013 campaign was an anomaly, but it’s clear that he needs a change of scenery and the Texans need a young franchise quarterback. Even though there’s a chance they could take Jadeveon Clowney or even Khalil Mack with the first overall pick and wait until the second round to take a quarterback, I still believe Bill O’Brien will nab his guy with the first overall selection.
So where does that leave Schaub? He’s perfectly capable of starting in this league if you also believe that he is in line for a much better 2014, and he is the ideal QB to have in a situation where the team isn’t sold on the young, current starter.
The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Cleveland Browns and Oakland Raiders are “believed to have interest” in Schaub, and he also reports that the New York Jets would be interested if they cut Mark Sanchez. Since I am 95% sure they will ultimately release Sanchez, I am more than happy to lump the Jets with the Browns and Raiders.
The Browns will almost certainly draft a QB with the fourth overall pick (as they should), and Schaub would be a high-end stopgap option. Does this indicate they don’t like Brian Hoyer? That’s an interesting angle to look at things from, but an even more interesting angle is the one that involves Kyle Shanahan, who coached Schaub during his best days.
Schaub fits the Raiders best, since they could easily plug him in as a starter this year. He doesn’t seem to fit the Browns too well, but he would be an ideal fit for the Jets if he’s willing to be Geno Smith’s backup. I doubt Schaub has any intention of being a backup, so I think the dots mostly connect to Oakland.