Houston Texans need a franchise QB to be a contender in 2015

The Houston Texans had a very successful 9-7 season in 2014 after having the worst record in the NFL in 2013.

That success this past season was quite surprising as the team went through four different quarterbacks this season (three starters), with three of them going down with serious injuries.

Ryan Fitzpatrick got a majority of the playing time, and statistically was their best of the QB bunch. In 12 games, Fitzpatrick threw for 2,483 yards and more than twice as many touchdowns (17) as interceptions (8). Fitzpatrick’s best game came at home against the Tennessee Titans, when he threw for six of those 17 scores.

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It was a solid season for Fitzpatrick, but the Texans know that he’s not the long-term plan that would result in a trip to the playoffs.

The Texans also employed three other young quarterbacks in Ryan Mallett, rookie Tom Savage and Case Keenum, with Mallett and Keenum earning starts during the season while Savage saw action in two games.

Houston had some hopes that Mallett could be a possible answer as a long-term quarterback after trading for him from the New England Patriots.

Mallett got his first start with the Texans in November against the Cleveland Browns, and played pretty decent in his debut, completing 20-30 passes for 211 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. His second game against the Cincinnati Bengals didn’t go as well, as he completed 46.7 percent of his passes, was picked off in the loss and suffered a pectoral injury.

Fitzpatrick would not regain the starting role until December 14th against the Colts. He was injured in the game and his season would end. Rookie Tom Savage came in for relief of Fitzpatrick in the game, but did not do well as he completed 10-19 passes for 127 yards with an interception and also suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) scrambles with the ball during the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

That resulted in to the Texans re-signing Keenum. He had started eight games with the team in 2013. Unlike 2013 when Keenum managed a 0-8 record starter, he helped lead the Houston to season-ending wins over the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars in the final two weeks.

Despite a 9-7 record in the AFC, the Texans need to find a franchise quarterback if they need to improve upon to become a threat in the AFC.

The good record in 2014 will keep the Texans out of the Top 10 in the NFL Draft this offseason, which is likely where the two best quarterbacks in Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston will be. With plenty of teams in the top of the draft looking for a quarterback, the price will be steep to move up.

Most likely the way Houston will have to try and improve at the position is via a trade or through free agency. This offseason doesn’t provide the greatest of quarterback options via free agency, but players like Jay Cutler could become available if the Bears decide to release him.

There is a lot of talk out of Philadelphia that the Eagles may make Nick Foles available for trades. If that’s the case, the Texans should explore that option. He certainly has the potential to be a good NFL quarterback and has had success at this level already.

The most important thing for the Texans is not to panic. They can’t afford to make a poor and hurried decision to try and get better right now. They showed they could rebound a disastrous 2013 season this past year and and managed to do it with no impact from their first selection Jadeveon Clowney in that draft.

If the organization doesn’t see who they believe can be their future quarterback in the draft or in free agency, they would be wise to stick with a game-manager type quarterback, let Arian Foster lead the offense and J.J Watt spearhead the defense once again.

As we know, franchise quarterbacks don’t appear overnight.

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