Houston Texans will have quarterback competition in 2015

By Vinnie Criscenzo | Feb 6, 2015

Dec 7, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Houston Texans quarterbacks Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) and Tom Savage (3) throw before the start of their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports /

The Houston Texans will most likely hold a quarterback competition in 2015.

It was another struggling season for the Houston Texans. However, it was a huge improvement from their 2-14 season in 2013.

The Texans finished with a 9-7 record in 2014 and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year. One major reason for their turnaround was the incredible play of J.J. Watt, who won Defensive Player of the Year honors this season. Also, the resurgence of running back Arian Foster.

The quarterback situation, however, is still a bit of a question mark.

The Texans acquired Ryan Fitzpatrick in the off-season after he was released by the Buffalo Bills. Fitzpatrick won the starting job out of training camp and he played pretty well for them. Fitzpatrick threw for 2,483 yards with a 63.1% completion rating and threw 17 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. He started the first 12 games before breaking his leg and ending his season.

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Next up for the Texans was backup Ryan Mallet. He threw for 400 yards with a 54.7% completion rating along with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He played in only two games before he injured a pectoral muscle which ended his season. The Texans were left with their third-string quarterback, rookie Tom Savage. Savage threw for 127 yards with a 52.6% completion rating with no touchdowns and one interception. Savage only played in one game before being hurt himself.

The Texans were left without a quarterback, so they brought back Case Keenum to hold down the fort. He played pretty well in his second stint with the team, throwing for 435 yards and a 58.4% completion rating along with two touchdowns and two interceptions and won both of his starts.

Heading into the 2015 season now, Ryan Mallet is expected to hit the free agent market and not return to Houston. So, as of right now, the Texans will go into training camp with quarterbacks Ryan Fitzpatrick, Case Keenum and Tom Savage. Head coach Bill O’Brian says that the three of them will compete for the starting job.

"We’ll make the right decision and it will probably be a competition, O’Brien said, according to the team’s website. It will be something where guys come in and compete and have to win the job and that’s the way it should be and that’s what we’re looking to do."

O’Brian hasn’t confirmed that these are the three quarterbacks that they will be going into camp with, though. They could still add another quarterback into the mix, either through the draft or through free agency or trade. The Texans hold the 16th overall pick in this year’s draft.

They may want to try to add another quarterback if they can. Adding a fourth will increase the competition, and also give the team another option if it works out.

[H/T: Sports Illustrated]

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