The Oakland Raiders are reportedly considering signing Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub in the offseason. Some in the Raiders' front office believe picking up Schaub, who's expected to be released in March by the Texans, would help stabilize the team's quarterback situation.
"Just some scuttlebutt, but if (when?) the Houston Texans release Matt Schaub, the Raiders could be among the teams interested in the quarterback," Len Pasquarelli of the National Football Post recently wrote. "Schematically, it isn't a great fit, and Schaub is more a 'systems' guy, but it's said he has some fans in the organization and would be a stabilizing factor."
Schaub is under contract with Houston through the 2016 season, but it appears a foregone conclusion first-year coach Bill O'Brien will release him in the offseason. Schaub's contract, which earns him $10 million this coming season, makes the 32-year-old quarterback too pricey to keep around as a backup.
He went from a 2012 Pro Bowl selection to the bench amid a 2-14 season in Houston. He finished the year with 2,310 passing yards for 10 touchdowns, 14 interceptions and two fumbles.
Oakland doesn't have a lock for quarterback. After the summer signing of then-Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Flynn didn't work out, second-year pro Terrelle Pryor got the starting nod. He was eventually supplanted by undrafted rookie Matt McGloin, who won just one game in the seven games he played in.
If Oakland does sign Schaub, it's uncertain if he would have a legitimate chance at starting. Having him on the roster would, at the very least, provide a veteran presence in the quarterback meeting room to help with the development of Pryor and McGloin.
Oakland also has the No. 5 overall pick in the upcoming 2014 draft. Although ESPN's Mel Kiper predicts the Raiders will select Clemson receiver Sammy Watkins, there's a chance coach Dennis Allen finds quarterbacks Johnny Manziel, Teddy Bridgewater or Blake Bortles too tempting to pass on if one is still available after the first four picks.
