Texans coach has intriguing response about big-name NFL quarterback
One Texans coach is not ruling out bringing in a QB in free agency.
The Texans have a quarterback problem.
How they address that problem is up for debate. With ample draft capital and cap space, the Texans will have options.
The 49ers have the opposite problem- they have too many quarterbacks. With the emergence of Brock Purdy and the return of Trey Lance, Jimmy Garoppolo will be playing elsewhere in 2023.
The Texans could be a realistic option for Jimmy G for a couple of reasons.
One, the team has the money to make such a move. Only two teams in the league currently boast more cap space than Houston.
Secondly, the Texans hired ex-49ers DC Demeco Ryans as their head coach. Ryans also brought in Ben Slowik to be the Texans' offensive coordinator. Slowik was an assistant on the Niners' staff from 2017-2022. Both of these coaches are familiar with Garoppolo and could believe the QB to be the safest option.
With this in mind, Slowik was recently asked about Garoppolo.
"We have a process (for) everything we go through," said Slowik. "Jimmy is obviously part of that process. He's going to be a free agent. We have conversations. Nick and DeMeco lay out a plan. We'll see where that takes us."
Slowik's comments can certainly be interpreted as the team being interested in the QB.
It's undeniable that when healthy, Garoppolo is a very solid QB. In 2019, the signal-caller suited up for all 16 games and ended that season with 3,978 passing yards, 27 TDs, and 13 INTs. This impressive performance led to the 49ers appearing in the Super Bowl, where they ultimately fell to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Unfortunately, injuries have been a recurring theme in Garoppolo's career. The QB suffered season-ending injuries in 2020 and 2022. However, when healthy, there's no doubt that Garoppolo is a serviceable NFL QB and would vastly improve the Texans' offense.
Bringing Garoppolo to Houston would allow the Texans to take the best non-QB in the draft with the second pick. Additionally, the Texans could trade down with a QB-needy team and add even more draft capital. For a roster with needs all over, this might be the best option.
