The Texans haven’t been in much of a hurry to part ways with quarterback Matt Schaub, but they may be starting to think about making a move most observers have seen as a certainty since Houston benched him in favor of Case Keenum last season.
Mark Berman of FOX 26 reports that Ryan Fitzpatrick is visiting the Texans on Thursday. Fitzpatrick was released by the Titans after they signed Charlie Whitehurst and his arrival in Houston would give the Texans a veteran quarterback with starting experience to use as a potential backup or placeholder for a rookie drafted in May.
Schaub can play the same role, of course, but his $10 million base salary makes that a less than ideal choice. With reported interest from the Raiders and Browns, the Texans are expected to try to trade him before choosing to release him but a Fitzpatrick signing would put the writing on the wall about Schaub’s future in Houston.
Fitzpatrick started nine games for the Texans last year in place of an injured Jake Locker and completed 62 percent of his passes while throwing 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He was in the running for a job with the Bengals before Cincinnati opted to sign Jason Campbell.