A friendly quarterback competition is coming to the Houston Texans.
Former New England Patriots backup quarterbacks Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett are expected to reunite with the Texans and compete for the starting role, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported Monday. Hoyer won’t officially hit free agency until Tuesday at 4 p.m., but he is expected to sign a three-year deal, according to Rapoport.
Multiple outlets are reporting Hoyer will join the Texans, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter says his agent still is negotiating with the New York Jets. Schefter says there’s “still a good chance” Hoyer will sign with the Texans.
Mallett was traded to the Texans by the Patriots before the 2014 season. He agreed to re-sign with the Texans on a two-year, $7 million contract, ESPN’s Tania Ganguli reported Monday.
Hoyer and Mallett were teammates with the Patriots, backing up Tom Brady during the 2011 season. Hoyer was cut by the Patriots prior to the 2012 season, when Mallett beat him out for the No. 2 role.
Hoyer started 13 games for the Cleveland Browns last season, throwing for 3,326 yards with 12 touchdowns and 13 interception and a 55.3 completion percentage.
Mallett started two games before going down with a pectoral injury. He threw for 400 yards with two touchdowns, two interceptions and a 54.7 completion percentage.
Former Patriots quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien is head coach of the Texans. The Patriots will play the Texans in Houston during the 2015 season.
Thumbnail photo via Ken Blaze/USA TODAY Sports Images
