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Former Spartan Hoyer beats out UM transfer Mallett for Texans’ starting QB job
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Michigan State earned another victory — albeit a smaller one — over Michigan.
NFL Network analyst Ian Rapoport reported on Monday that former Michigan State quarterback Brian Hoyer beat out Michigan transfer Ryan Mallett for the Houston Texans’ starting quarterback job.
Sources: The #Texans have named Brian Hoyer as their starting QB to begin the 2015 season.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 24, 2015
Hoyer, who started 13 games for the Cleveland Browns last year ahead of Johnny Manziel, also earned himself a new contract in the process, according to NFL insider Aaron Wilson.
Texans signed new starting quarterback Brian Hoyer to a two-year, $10.5 million contract that includes $4.75 million guaranteed in offseason
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 24, 2015
Hoyer and Mallett had been competing for the starting job in the preseason. Former Penn State and current Texans coach Bill O’Brien went with Hoyer, who threw for 3,326 yards, 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions with the Browns last year.
Mallett actually got his first career start against Hoyer and the Browns in Week 11 last year. On that day, Mallett threw a touchdown pass to former Badger great J.J. Watt en route to a 23-7 victory. He tore his pectoral muscle two weeks later and missed the remainder of the 2014 season.
It marked the second time in which Hoyer and Mallett battled in camp, though Tom Brady was ahead of them on the depth chart during their New England days.
Hoyer will make his regular season debut with the Texans on Sept. 13 against Kansas City.
Connor O'Gara is the senior national columnist for Saturday Tradition. He's a member of the Football Writers Association of America. After spending his entire life living in B1G country, he moved to the South in 2015.