Texans bid farewell to Matt Leinart

AP

Quarterback Matt Leinart finally got his chance last season in Houston, after Matt Schaub messed up his foot.

And then Leinart promptly messed up his collarbone, again.

And then T.J. Yates did enough the rest of the way to merit the No. 2 spot on the depth chart.

So on a day that featured the unexpected release of tackle Eric Winston, the Texans have made a less surprising move, cutting the 10th pick in the 2006 draft, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Leinart was due to earn only $1.75 million in 2012.  It’s entirely possible that the Texans are in the process of clearing cap space in order to squeeze under the spending limit a new contract for linebacker Mario Williams, who is due to become an unrestricted free agent on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. ET.

76 responses to “Texans bid farewell to Matt Leinart

  1. Who wants to bet Pete Carroll will try to pick him up? He’s the only who thinks overrated USC QB’s are any good (besides Rex Ryan and the Raiders).

  2. Their money would be better served pursuing Manning. If he returned to form on a team like the Texans, they’d be unstoppable. And I hate the Texans

  3. Perfect opportunity for the Jets to add to their collection of ex-USC QB’s that can’t play.

  4. Welcome to Oakland where Knapp will make him Carson’s backup. That is till the Prodigy Pyor is ready to take the helm

  5. Leinart to Seattle? He’d be reunited with Pete Carroll and would get a shot at being the starter.
    Sad to see Winston go; the Texans may try to resign him later.

  6. Man seems like this guy cant catch a break. I had high hopes for him, i saw him as a for sure long time franchise QB in the NFL

  7. I think Eric Winston’s total cap number was around 6.5-7.5 million. Combined with Leinart and the 1.6 million cap Santa brought all the good little nfl gm’s today that is close to 10 million in cuts which should be enough to resign Williams and either Brisiel or Myers if they choose to do so. They still to free up more space.

  8. How did so many usc players just bomb in the nfl??? Guess they don’t make as much anymore so the incentive is gone?

  9. It’s been so long since I’ve seen him throw… but does he have a limp noodle for an arm. I seem to remember him not being able to throw anything over 20 yards.

  10. Buffalo or Cleveland should sign him and Vince Young. See how long those entitled soft overrated clowns will last in those tough weather beaten cities…LoL.

  11. A few years after snubbing him in the draft, I’d like the Bills to take a look at Leinart as a backup to Fitz.

  12. Jeff Fisher badly wanted to draft Leinert over Vince Young, but owner Bud Adams put his foot down. Maybe we’re looking at Sam Bradford’s new backup?

  13. If the Seahawks sign him it will not mean that he is the automatic starter. This is another low risk high reward opportunity for a team that needs a quarterback. If he has matured he is a risk worth taking. If not, just cut him.

  14. i wonder if Pete gives him a shot now??? last year, Leinart was thought to go to Seattle and did a 180 and went back to Houston. wonder if Carroll does the same to Leinart or doesnt even try to get him. wherever he goes, one thing’s for sure, 1) he needs to stay healthy……2) he needs to improve as a passer.

  15. On the plus side, the facial hair suggests a bright future as a magician.

    And what better way to start that career than by making millions of dollars in potential disappear?

  16. For those of you saying Seattle will sign him, remember that they had a chance to sign him after he got the boot in Arizona and didn’t. I think that says something about him when his own college coach wouldn’t sign him to a small deal. ESPECIALLY when they actually needed a backup QB.

  17. The only USC players that I can remember being as good as advertised when they were drafted were Clay Matthews and Brian Cushing… and it’s pretty clear that steroids helped those two along more than a little.

  18. Seen him throw 1 long pass last season in the half he played. Andre johnson had a cup of tea standing aroind waiting for the ball.

  19. He wont be handed a job in Seattle or anywhere.
    Don’t forget Carroll (his own coach) had opportunities to bring him in the past two years and chose not to, that speaks volumes to Leinart’s potential. That said he still could be a late bloomer and low risk to check out at least.

  20. The only USC players that I can remember being as good as advertised when they were drafted were Clay Matthews and Brian Cushing… and it’s pretty clear that steroids helped those two along more than a little.

    —————————————————–

    Polamalu.

  21. He is better than the piece of crap (Palko) the Chiefs trotted out there last year. That gut does not belong in the NFL.

  22. What happened to this dude? He was one of the best QBs in college that year. Pro Style Offense. USC. Then he fell off a cliff. No, he flew off a cliff.

    Damn homie.

  23. zn0rseman says:
    Mar 12, 2012 11:25 PM
    The only USC players that I can remember being as good as advertised when they were drafted were Clay Matthews and Brian Cushing… and it’s pretty clear that steroids helped those two along more than a little.
    —————
    There were a couple others…
    Palmer, Polamalu, Seau, Lott, Swann, OJ!, Munoz, Matthews Dad, or how about Marcus Allen, Keyshawn Johnson, Byers, Kalil (works on progress), McGinest… I guess you’d have to be pretty old to “remember” all of them.

    More Trojans in the Pro Football Hall of Fame than any other school. Look it up.

    Hey… SEC, we are coming for you next year. Barkley is the real deal!!

  24. Sweet porno-stache!

    Highly unlikely Carroll brings him in. Even if he does bring him in as a backup though, I’m ok with it because he can’t possibly be as bad as Clipboard Jesus.

  25. He can still buy a house on the beach in Malibu and live off a nice annuity.

    Even when high draft choices lose, they still win.

    Good luck with the rest of your life, Matt.

  26. hawkitnow says:
    Mar 12, 2012 10:04 PM
    please don’t sign him pete.

    sincerely,
    all seahawks fans
    ———————————
    The Seahawks have fans?

  27. zn0rseman says: Mar 12, 2012 11:25 PM

    The only USC players that I can remember being as good as advertised when they were drafted were Clay Matthews and Brian Cushing… and it’s pretty clear that steroids helped those two along more than a little.
    _________________________________

    Carson Palmer. Leinart backed him up at USC. Rather have him than Boller anyday as a #2.

  28. Have to congratulate this man on a magnificent career. He has managed to make millions for doing essentially nothing – during the worst recession/depression since the great depression. He had many women, made a lot of money, all for throwing some passes during the fall on everyday except Sundays and Mondays. It’s great work if you can get it, and Matt was able to pull it off. Kudos.

  29. Send him to Pitt. We clearly don’t have a backup that the head coach or OC have any confidence can play worth a darn, hence their keeping Big Ben in late season games he clearly had no business playing in and essentially dooming them to an early playoff out. Time for a fresh face!

  30. Thank god the skins locked up the 2nd pick b/c this would be a Shanny special otherwise. I believe the attempted to sign or trade for him last season before going with pickle king Rex and hamster wheel Beck. Skins would have been better off with Tebow.

  31. Texans bid farewell to Matt Leinart
    ————————-

    If only the USC Keg party scene could say the same….

  32. patsfiend says: “More Trojans in the Pro Football Hall of Fame than any other school. Look it up”

    I will have to look this up now, because in the next 5 years the Hurricanes will take over that spot. When our players decide to retire many, many are shoe ins for the Hall. When was the last time USC had 7 players go int he first round? Yeah didn’t think so. I could list them all, but it would be easier to list all the busts that have come from USC in the last 10 years or so.

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