The Houston Texans (4-5) may be second in the AFC South, but that may not be good enough for first-year coach Bill O'Brien. To jumpstart the offense, O'Brien may be looking to replace incumbent quarterback start Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick has a passer rating of 87.1, 22nd among qualified quarterbacks. He has struggled notably recently, completing just 51.2 percent of his passes over the last two weeks. The Texans have lost five of their last seven games. The team's stagnation could lead to a quarterback change.
"Following a 31-21 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at NRG Stadium and another inconsistent showing from the offense, [coach Bill] O'Brien didn't come close to benching Fitzpatrick," the Houston Chronicle's Brian T. Smith wrote. "But the first-year coach said every position will be scrutinized and that he's looking for a spark."
When asked about a potential change at quarterback, O'Brien said, "I think we have to evaluate everything. I don't think you can always - and I've said this all along - I don't think you can look at one position and put all the blame on that."
Ryan Mallett is currently No. 2 on the depth chart behind Fitzpatrick. Houston acquired him via trade from the New England Patriots back in August. Mallett tweeted, "I'm staying focused for when the time comes. Seize the opportunity #justwaiting" just hours after Houston's game this weekend before deleting it.
ESPN's Tania Ganguli weighed in on the Texans' quarterback situation.
"Fitzpatrick's completion percentage peaked in Week 2 against the Raiders, and dropped to a season low 48.1 against the Eagles," Ganguli wrote. "They've broken 400 yards offensively just twice, against the Giants and the Titans. The Texans' offense isn't showing signs of improvement, rather it has been stuck in this similar malaise week after week."
"Well, I mean, you think things will get better with time as the season goes on," receiver Andre Johnson said.
But things have not gotten better and likely won't as the Texans travel to Cleveland to take on the 5-3 Browns after their bye this week.
