Houston Texans Training Camp Preview 2019: Quarterbacks

The Houston Texans are set at starting quarterback entering 2019 training camp, but what about the overall depth of the position?

Nearing closer to the start of training camp next week, the Houston Texans are set at the quarterback position when it comes to the name Deshaun Watson, as he’s all but set to take the Texans to the next level in the AFC.

As for the rest of the quarterbacks on the depth chart, they consist of free agent signing A.J. McCarron and Joe Webb, who also plays on special teams. The signing of McCarron was so he’d replace former backup quarterback Brandon Weeden, whom the Texans didn’t re-sign this offseason.

Having Watson under center for the Texans gives them one of the best young quarterbacks in all of the NFL as Watson is entering his third season after being a first-round pick in 2017. Since then, Watson has impressed by playing seven games in 2017 before tearing his ACL, and this past season he bounced back to lead the Texans to the playoffs and a division championship after playing in all 16 regular-season games.

In a recent article by Dan Hanzus of NFL.com, he has what is called a “Superstar Club,” and this season he added Watson to the mix by writing the following about the Texans’ now third-year quarterback:

"“Two years in, Watson has all the look of the transformative presence the Texans believed they were getting with the 12th overall pick. Watson was a stud in his first full season as starter in 2018, accounting for 31 of Houston’s 38 offensive touchdowns and showing no ill-effects from the knee injury that prematurely ended his rookie season.”"

When the Texans drafted Watson, it was a huge deal for the franchise, and it is paying off with huge dividends. Look at what he’s achieved in less than two full seasons on the field with nearly 6,000 yards passing (5,864 yards), 45 touchdown passes and 17 interceptions in 23 career games, including 22 starts.

Watson is undoubtedly the star and leader of the offense because without him leading the way, the offense doesn’t run as smoothly as it needs to, and he’s had his success with a suspect at best offensive line and injuries to multiple wide receivers on the Texans’ roster.

We all know about how great Watson is, but what if something were to occur and either McCarron or Webb would need to play the quarterback position in an actual game? Do you feel confident if either one of those players to lead the offense?

When it comes to McCarron, he’s still working on perfecting the offensive system of Bill O’Brien, as it differs from the ones he ran in previous stops in the NFL. Even so, earlier this summer, HoustonTexans.com reporter Drew Dougherty  wrote that McCarron was “settling in nicely” with the offense and the franchise, quoting McCarron about working with Watson:

"“We’re here for one goal, and that’s to win. We’re all on the same team, we’re all going to push each other and compete to make each other better, but we’re here to win.”"

Webb is a wild card here because he doesn’t get a chance to ever play quarterback, but he does contribute to the special teams. Webb has been in the NFL either as a quarterback, wide receiver or special teams player since 2010 with the Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills and the Texans.

The question is will Webb even make the roster for the Texans in ’19? It isn’t a guarantee that Webb is a safe bet to make the team in ’19.

None of us know if the Texans will keep a third quarterback on the team, plus maybe they want to go a different route on special teams as they did pick up some athletic players who are younger as undrafted rookie free agents who could also contribute to the special teams unit.

McCarron or Webb won’t challenge Watson whatsoever this training camp. but it will be exciting to see what McCarron has to offer this preseason because like mentioned earlier, the Texans need to be confident in McCarron as the top reserve quarterback because nobody knows if he’ll be called upon this season.