Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien. Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
HOUSTON — The Houston Texans have dramatically overhauled their offense this offseason, moves that should transform their attack after a lackluster performance last season.
The Texans signed former Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler to a $72 million deal and former Miami Dolphins running back Lamar Miller to a $26 million contract, replacements for Brian Hoyer, who remains on the roster, and Arian Foster, who was released.
After dealing with uncertainty at the pivotal quarterback position for years, including utilizing four quarterbacks last season, the Texans are overjoyed to land a potential franchise quarterback.
In an AFC South they won last year largely because of a strong defense headlined by star defensive end J.J. Watt, the Texans were the only team in the division that lacked a strong presence at quarterback. The Indianapolis Colts have Andrew Luck. The Tennessee Titans have Marcus Mariota. And the Jacksonville Jaguars have Blake Bortles.
The Texans wanted an upgrade and have made a major investment to try to accomplish that goal.
“Obviously we had a need at the quarterback position,” general manager Rick Smith said. “With the level of success we’ve been able to have over the last few years, we haven’t had consistent play at the quarterback position. We haven’t had consistency at the quarterback position and we really feel like the move to add Brock gives us that stability, and hopefully that will allow us to advance a little bit further than what we’ve done before.”
The Texans are banking on Osweiler being the answer under center after he went 5-2 as a starter last season, including wins over New England and Cincinnati. He passed for 1,967 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions.
“This guy is a good quarterback, he’s got command at the line of scrimmage,” Texans head coach Bill O’Brien said. “He’s standing in the pocket and he’s delivering the ball down the field. He played well in some big games this past year in Denver, and we’re very, very glad to have him as our quarterback.”
The Texans lost guard Brandon Brooks and center Ben Jones to the Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans, but signed former Kansas City Chiefs guard Jeff Allen and center Tony Bergstrom.
The Texans now need to continue to seek upgrades at wide receiver to work in tandem with DeAndre Hopkins and at tight end where they lack talent.
The next step is to also obtain pass-rushing assistance to go with J.J. Watt, Whitney Mercilus and Jadeveon Clowney.
The Texans have signed safeties Antonio Allen and Quintin Demps and they are candidates to start.
They have a clear hole at defensive end with Jared Crick signing with the Broncos.
