Houston Texans: 4 quarterbacks to replace Deshaun Watson on roster if he’s traded

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Houston Texans, Deshaun Watson
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

What will the Houston Texans do at QB if they trade Deshaun Watson?

If – and most likely when – the Houston Texans decide to trade quarterback Deshaun Watson from their 53-man active roster the franchise will have to replace him with another quarterback. If that situation happens sooner rather than later who will take the roster spot of Watson?

The Texans could gain a quarterback in the actual trade of Watson, and that would be a solid way to do so, and the easiest way to add another quarterback. There is also a whole new trade that could happen, which means the Texans could trade for a reserve quarterback with another franchise that didn’t trade for Watson.

A third way is look at the free agency list, because there are still some talented quarterbacks who could do well on the Houston roster for the 2021 season, especially if Tyrod Taylor’s hamstring injury lingers.

The current situation of the Texans quarterback room consists of Taylor having the injured hamstring from Week 2, which means rookie Davis Mills is about to make his first start this week on Thursday Night Football against the Carolina Panthers. Mills played in Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns when Taylor was injured on his touchdown run.

For at least this week, and this being a very quick turnaround, Jeff Driskel should be called up from the practice squad to fill the role as backup to Mills. It was said by Texans head coach David Culley on Monday that Watson isn’t going to be taking any snaps, and Watson was also on the injury report with the usual “non-injury” description.

So once Watson is traded, who can the Texans look to add as their next quarterback on the roster? Here are four players who could take the roster spot of Watson if a trade were ever to occur for Deshaun Watson by an NFL team.

4. Nick Foles

One thing the Houston Texans could do is if they don’t receive another quarterback in a trade for Deshaun Watson, the Texans have so much draft capital – especially after any deal involving Watson – is to look to another team and see who they have available.

One team that could be a trade partner is the Chicago Bears. Right now with Andy Dalton injured after he missed time in Week 2 a trade like this might not happen, but if it were, the Texans could most likely use  Day 3 pick to obtain a player like Foles. The former Super Bowl champion quarterback began this season as the third option for the Bears, so he probably isn’t in the long-term plans of the Bears.

Adding a veteran on the Texans roster who has big-time playoff experience would be an excellent source of information for Mills to learn from, as Taylor is injured, and Mills is still learning the NFL game.