As expected, the Texans will roll with Tyrod Taylor as their starting quarterback. Head coach David Culley made the announcement on Monday, which means Taylor will be backstopped by rookie Davis Mills as embattled star Deshaun Watson remains in limbo. 
Taylor, entering his age-32 season, has started just four games since 2018. Prior to that, however, the dual-threat QB did operate as Buffalo’s starter for three seasons and overlapped with Culley in ’17. While the risk-averse passer did well to limit turnovers, he has yet to show the kind of big play upside that Watson has brought to the table.
It’s an opportunity for Taylor to reassert himself in the NFL. He’ll also have a chance to more than double his base salary. Taylor is slated to make $5.5MM, but he can also reach up to $12MM via incentives. That includes $4MM if he serves as the QB1 for the whole year — he’ll get $1MM for each playtime marker of 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%.
In addition to Taylor and Davis, the Texans will also have veteran Jeff Driskel nearby on the practice squad.
Taylor’s picture is next to “serviceable” in the dictionary.
That picture is contemplation of whether he actually wants the gig
Good for Tyrod getting another starting gig in the NFL. Gotta feel bad for the guy after his stint with the Chargers.
I was just about to say that. I don’t think he will be much of a factor for them, but after that lung stuff I’m glad he is getting another shot. Hopefully, it helps him add a few years to his career as a serviceable backup.
Pardon the pun?
worked out great for the Chargers
Hopefully not for their medical insurance.
Keeping the seat warm for Mills. If they go 1-4 they will put Mills in to assess him and not have to pay Tyrod all the extra money for games started. I hope he is successful though and gets a true chance.
just read mills is a guaranteed stud qb. taylors back ups have been allen, mayfield, and herbert.
There are no guarantees of “studliness” coming into the NFL
Tyrod’s backup with Nathan Peterman. Josh Allen started his rookie year as the backup to Nathan Peterman
Why not start Watson? That would speed up the investigation. Plus he’s better and more expensive.
Some might call it “tone deaf”.
So he has to be on the sideline for his checks w/ camera’s always checking in? I’d say that’s tone deaf as well.
The league has sat on this since Feb(?). I say that’s tone deaf as well.
Watson might have an injury guarantee in his contract.
That I can understand.
You do have a point about speeding up any investigations, all else aside.
If true, it’s disgusting behavior by Watson. I’m staying out of the legal argument. But all training camp the camera was on him and will be more now during game time.
That’s a super interesting take tbh
I think in the right situation Taylor could have been a pretty successful starting QB. This is not that situation.
Taylor is just the guy they need to get them through 2021. He’ll play hard and make no off-the-field headlines.
Well whatever Taylor did for Mayfield and Herbert hopefully he can do it for Davis Mills
I guess they want that 1st pick
Hmmmm is the NFL getting ready to drop the hammer on Watson?
Elliot loses 6 games from one person while in college. Watson has 20 allegations while in the league and the NFL sits on their thumb hmmmm.
The NFL did screw over Elliot, but ironically that happened because there was no criminal investigation pending nor a lawsuit (as far as I remember on that) ongoing. The NFL is waiting for either or both of those to finish before handing down its own punishment so as not to interfere.
In a way, Elliot got punished partially for not getting punished by real world courts (and with much, much, much less conclusive evidence/testimony, may I add). None of that means that the NFL should apply the standard used in his case, which was bad, to other cases in the future.
Trevor Bauer had one Accuser and MLB did not suspend him or put him on leave until the Dodgers were going to keep letting him pitch. Watson has 22. Other people they have put on the Exempt list for a helluva lot less. Plus the NFL has destroyed evidence in certain cases or claimed they had no tape like with Ray Rice. Destroyed Evidence in the Patriots illegal videotape scandals.
True, but again, I’d like them to do better than that. I’d rather they not continue things the way they have. But again, I think that the more complicated investigation and lawsuit (plus Watson’s profile) are making the NFL wait.
In my opinion, the NFL has an understanding with Houston to not play Watson and list him last on the depth chart. They’re hoping that their standard procedure of ignoring the problem will make it go away after a while.
Taylor keeps the seat warm for Spencer Rattler or Sam Howell.
Neither one played well Week 1 in College. 30 completions for Rattler for 304 yards 1 TD 2 Ints. Howell 17 of 32 for 208 yards 1 Td 3 ints. Its early but Carson Strong and Desmond Ridder who are the 4th and 5th rated guys according to Phil Steeles magazine. I think the Texans want a Dual Threat QB.
Do they win 5 games?
No I have them at 3. 2 could be against Jacksonville who I also have at 3. I have the Bengals at 3 and the Lions at 2. But I could see one of these teams going 0-17. I have a couple teams with 6 wins. Many of the teams scare me with who either the Head Coach is or the OC is. I wish they would say who is actually calling plays for many of these teams. Too many pass happy play callers in the NFL. If Tim Kelly calls the plays the Texans are in trouble. Have to think David Culley wants to run the ball and that is the strength of the roster. Jags have Bevell who has tended to be far too pass happy in recent years but have Brian Schotteinheimer as the QB coach.
No. Their roster is paper thin, thus by mid-season they will be in pre-season form.
Has anyone ever gotten more chances without really getting a chance than Tyrod Taylor?
Can’t believe he beat out Deshaun Watson
He didn’t obviously Watson is in Legal Limbo. Trevor Bauer had one Accuser who happened to have slept with allegedly two other baseball players. Watson has like 22 Accusers.
He’s kidding. I thought it was funny.
Watson does not want to play with them. Texans should just say we are starting Watson and force the NFL to put him on the Exempt list. Because the Dodgers allegedly were going to just let Bauer play until MLB stepped in. 1st Tyrod got benched in Cleveland Browns win, then he has medical accident and loses starting job with the Chargers what else could happen before this game he gets food poisoning. The winner between the Texans and Jags will be the team that Runs the ball more. Plus who is calling the plays with the Texans pass happy Kelly or the Head coach.
Just avoid the team doc