Ryan Mallett named the Texans starting quarterback

You're over-stating what he would "command"... all those other QB's you mentioned did it for more than just 7 games before getting their deals.

Also, he can't just request the franchise tag... nor will the Texans be offering it to him (they'd be better off holding on to Kareem with that).

But yes, he's not going to be locked into anything long term, and I'm somewhat confident that the Texans can structure a deal that accomplishes that, and entices Mallett enough to stick around in a system where he's the most likely to continue to excel in (and looking at his other options, prior to any money is even discussed, the Texans still have the advantage... Jets, Bucs, Rams, Titans and Bills are all currently offensively "challenged" from a coaching/personnel standpoint, and are not that big of threats to give Mallett more guaranteed money).

Maybe the only possibility is if Josh McDaniel gets another gig, and hand-picks him.

 

Can we not wait until the end of the season before trying to assume what Mallett will demand/ command or what the Texans will offer him.

 

Well it's still worth discussing. Not too many games left. I asked how much people think he will get if he continues to play well, but only Hey Now answered the question.

 

Cassel was franchised and eventually given a 6-year, $63MM deal five years ago. The money hasn't decreased, especially if salary cap increases significantly.

Next year, 12 QBs will make a base salary of $11.5MM or more. The only prominent starters under that figure are Stafford, Brady, Flacco (who all have HUGE guanrateed, cap-killing years ahead - well, maybe not Brady...) and then QBs still on their rookie deals (Luck, RG3, etc.)

$12-14MM may be high; but, again - we're assuming a Foles-like finish... if Foles had been a FA last year, do you really think he's signing for less than $10MM? I doubt it. Remember, Sam Bradford made $12MM last year.

If he refuses to sign their offer, and the team wants to keep him... they're not going to have a choice. He can absolutely steer that.

Any team that needs a QB - especially a 26-year old coming off a terrific seven-game stretch - is a threat. I'm not sure what invalidates them. In terms of system, bring in a guy from the Bellicheck tree and Mallett is pretty easily in a comfortable place. The Texans haven't cornered the market on those guys.

 

Too many variables. How well does he play? How well does the team do? Playoffs? How high of a first round draft pick do they have? How popular is he among fans/media?

I think teams have learned their lesson from Matt Cassell. He'll have play out of him mind to get top tier money.

 

Josh McCown is another good example.

 

McCown didn't get a big deal. But the thing that Mallett has working for him is that he doesn't have a long history of being mediocre before suddenly having a good stretch. Based on his age and potential, he would get more off of 7 games (if he plays well) than McCown did off of 8.

 

Josh McNown is 35 years old and had years of mediocrity behind him. Most very much understood that last year was a flash, and he was paid accordingly (2 years, $10MM with lots of incentives).

Mallett is very uniquely positioned. He's young with no previous track record - good or bad. What he does these seven weeks will absolutely set his market value. If he's very good, he can command some big money. Starting QBs are a premium in this league; if a good young one hits the open market.....

 

Isn't Cassell a different situation...? He was good at New England and left New England. Mallet doesn't have to leave Houston so it's not like we're talking about a quarterback who was good for another team and wondering how he will do here.

Is he really...??? Because he's starting to heat up down in Tampa.

 

My thing is I rather wait until either the end of the season or few games before it ends. But hey carry on Remii.

 

if he leads HOU to 10 wins & looks good... i think they will do what it takes to keep him.

HOU has some dead money off the books + a few players who might get cut, so $ should not be an issue.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Ryan Mallett's average time per pass attempt was 2.06 seconds vs CLE. Off the charts fast, lowest in the league this week.</p>&mdash; Pro Football Focus (@PFF) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF/status/534770774457208832">November 18, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

Not sure if he is actually the answer but I can tell you for the first time in 10 weeks, I actually look forward to watching the offense.

 

this...

I said earlier in the year I wasn't going to watch a texans game because of fitz and I lied somewhat. Sunday was the first game this season I watched start to end and it was a joy.

 

You guys are so dramatic haha.

 

If he plays very well to finish the season they may have to give him one of those Kaepernick/Andy Dalton contracts. Lots of base salary, but they can be cut at any time without taking a big cap hit.

 

They're not going to franchise him... not after 7 games.

 

LOL nobody really thinks Mallett is getting paid do they?

 

He's not going anywhere period.

 

Although I was very impressed with Mallet's 1st start, If he continues to have success I wonder if it's because he's a good quarterback and could be good anywhere or is it more to do with O'Brien and the system he runs... Because if it has more to do with O'Brien _ Savage appears to have the skill set O'Brien likes as well.

But if the Texans get to ten wins and Mallet looks good while doing it _ It would be hard to let him walk. Hopefully he would agree to a Kaepernick type deal like others have mentioned.