Ryan Mallett: Latest News, Rumors and Speculation Surrounding Free-Agent QB

There's a scarcity of free-agent NFL quarterbacks with the upside to be starters on the current market, but cannon-armed career backup Ryan Mallett is an exception. The Houston Texans reportedly have secured a deal with Mallett to retain his services.      

Continue for updates.

---

Mallett, Texans Reportedly Agree on Deal

Monday, March 9

John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reported the Texans landed Mallett on a deal worth "$7 million over two years."

On Sunday, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reported the Jets "inquired" about Mallett as they are "looking to bring in competition for Geno Smith." At the time, however, McClain noted the Texans were closing in on bringing back Mallett.

On Feb. 25, McClain passed along comments from Mallett regarding his outlook heading into 2015 and his recovery following surgery on his torn pectoral muscle. He stated he'd like to be back with the Texans and added: "Hopefully, we can get something worked out."

Speaking about his recovery, Mallett revealed: "I've tossed it (ball) around a little. Its a day by day process.

"I'm getting close. There's no magic potion. I'm trying to get better every day. We'll see how it goes," Mallett said.

On Feb. 19, NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal first reported the Texans were pushing to retain Mallett:

Head coach Bill O'Brien previously spoke about Mallett's potential, admitting that he'd "like to have him back," via Dan Hanzus of NFL.com:

"

I think he's smart, I think he's a hard worker. He understands our system. I liked how he went into the Cleveland game on the road and I'm sure he was nervous, but you couldn't tell. I thought he had good poise in the game. I liked the fact that when he wasn't playing, he was really into the game. ... So there's a lot of thing that I look at so far with him that make me believe he can be a starter in this league.

"

Texans general manager Rick Smith also commented on Mallett, via Hanzus: "He worked hard and obviously played pretty good that game he had an opportunity to play, somewhere along the line there suffered that injury. So it was disappointing for him but we're hopeful that we'll get him back as well and he'll have another opportunity to continue to help us." 

Mallett rode the bench behind Tom Brady to start his career in New England and then showed flashes of brilliance in three games when the Pats traded him to the Houston Texans this last season.   

Unfortunately, torn pectoral muscles cut Mallett's brief 2014 stint even shorter, creating more uncertainty about his future stock. Mallett was also helped by transitioning to a familiar offense under Texans coach Bill O'Brien, a former Patriots assistant and offensive coordinator in 2011.

Thanks to his big frame and gifted arm, Mallett seems to have all the tools to hold up as a durable, dependable passer for years to come. The question is whether he can process information well enough and deliver the ball accurately on a consistent enough basis to capitalize on his raw talent.

Houston is evidently keen on finding out, whether it's due to a lack of better alternatives or a genuine infatuation with Mallett's skill set.