The Houston Texans acquired quarterback Ryan Mallett from the New England Patriots on Sunday in exchange for an undisclosed draft pick.
ESPN reported that the Patriots will receive a sixth-round draft choice. It also reported that the Texans will waive quarterback Case Keenum.
The teams reportedly discussed a Mallett trade before the NFL Draft in May -- Texans head coach Bill O'Brien is a former Patriots offensive coordinator -- but were unable to agree on terms. Mallett, a 2011 third-round pick out of Arkansas, was ultimately passed on the depth chart by rookie Jimmy Garoppolo this preseason and is entering the final year of his contract. Garoppolo will enter the regular season as the backup to 37-year-old Tom Brady.
The 6-foot-6 Mallett has completed just one career pass during the regular season, but spent the past three seasons learning behind Brady. He has an opportunity to see far more action in Houston, where the Texans enter the season with journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick as their starter, but the Texans could turn to one of their young quarterbacks to develop should the offense struggle out of the gate. The Texans selected Tom Savage in the fourth round in May, and he will compete with Mallett following the release of Keenum, who started eight games last season but lacks great arm strength.
The Dallas Cowboys were also in talks with the Patriots about Mallett, according to NFL.com.
The Patriots also claimed defensive lineman Bruce Gaston off waivers from the Arizona Cardinals and rookie defensive lineman Kelcy Quarles off waivers from the New York Giants. In addition, the Patriots released linebacker Chris White.
ESPN reported that the Patriots will receive a sixth-round draft choice. It also reported that the Texans will waive quarterback Case Keenum.
The teams reportedly discussed a Mallett trade before the NFL Draft in May -- Texans head coach Bill O'Brien is a former Patriots offensive coordinator -- but were unable to agree on terms. Mallett, a 2011 third-round pick out of Arkansas, was ultimately passed on the depth chart by rookie Jimmy Garoppolo this preseason and is entering the final year of his contract. Garoppolo will enter the regular season as the backup to 37-year-old Tom Brady.
The 6-foot-6 Mallett has completed just one career pass during the regular season, but spent the past three seasons learning behind Brady. He has an opportunity to see far more action in Houston, where the Texans enter the season with journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick as their starter, but the Texans could turn to one of their young quarterbacks to develop should the offense struggle out of the gate. The Texans selected Tom Savage in the fourth round in May, and he will compete with Mallett following the release of Keenum, who started eight games last season but lacks great arm strength.
The Dallas Cowboys were also in talks with the Patriots about Mallett, according to NFL.com.
The Patriots also claimed defensive lineman Bruce Gaston off waivers from the Arizona Cardinals and rookie defensive lineman Kelcy Quarles off waivers from the New York Giants. In addition, the Patriots released linebacker Chris White.
