Quarterbacks Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett are off the market and set to compete for the starting job with the Houston Texans.
A pair of former backups with the New England Patriots, where Texans head coach O’Brien was in charge of the quarterbacks, Hoyer spent three years behind Tom Brady before getting a chance to start with the Cleveland Browns.
He was one of the top free agents on the market and heavily pursued by the New York Jets. Hoyer was close to a three-year deal with the Texans but, according to multiple reports, he did not finalize the agreement Monday morning because he was waiting for other teams — including the Jets — to make their best, last offer. After listening another day, Hoyer chose to join the Texans.
Mallett was scheduled to be a free agent but after making two starts for the Texans in 2014 before a season-ending pectoral injury, he will roll the dice in a competition with Hoyer. He will sign a two-year deal worth $7 million.
Last year’s starter, Ryan Fitzpatrick, becomes the odd man and is expected to be released.
He could draw interest from the Jets, who are looking for competition for Geno Smith. Fitzpatrick had his best statistical seasons with the Buffalo Bills when Chan Gailey — now offensive coordinator of the Jets — was running the offense.