Ryan Mallett Named Texans Starting QB vs. Panthers over Brian Hoyer

Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien told quarterbacks Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett during an episode of HBO’s Hard Knocks that both signal-callers should be prepared to play this year even though Hoyer received the starting nod for the season opener. 

O’Brien apparently wasn’t kidding.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, the Texans named Mallett their starting quarterback Wednesday for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers. O'Brien confirmed the report on Thursday, per the team. 

"I forgot I told my wife and she must have called Ian Rapoport," O'Brien said, jokingly, per Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com. 

"Ryan gave us a spark," O'Brien said, per John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. "This isn't an indictment against Brian. Ryan played well and has practiced hard. This is Ryan's opportunity."

"You can't make a decision based on relationships," O'Brien continued, per the team. "You have to make decisions based on the 53-man roster, based on winning."

"I'm ready to go," Mallett said Thursday, according to McClain.  "I'm not thinking about last year or (Kansas City performance)."

The news came as a shock to some, including McClain:

Despite the change, Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said his team's game plan wouldn't shift, according to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. 

The move didn't come out of left field, however, considering Hoyer’s struggles in Houston’s 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1. The former Michigan State Spartan started and threw for 236 yards, but he turned the ball over twice (one interception and one fumble) and watched his team fall into a 27-6 hole in the second quarter.

Mallett came in when it was 27-9 with approximately six minutes remaining in the game and proceeded to lead Houston on two scoring drives to trim the final score to 27-20. In all, he threw for 98 yards and a touchdown and, more importantly, did not cough up the ball against the Chiefs defense.

The fans who chanted Mallett’s name while Hoyer struggled in the early going were pleased with the backup’s performance, although the initial deficit proved to be too much.

Hoyer commented on his outing, per an ESPN.com report: "I feel terrible. I feel like I let this entire organization down. I mean, it just went from bad to worse."

O’Brien was coy about the Week 2 starter following the game, per Drew Dougherty of Texans TV: “I'm not going to make a big quarterback announcement today. You'll have to wait until the first play of the Carolina game.” 

Chris B. Brown of Smart Football and Grantland pointed out Houston was not exactly choosing between Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers:

Both quarterbacks signed two-year deals with the Texans during the offseason.

Hoyer threw for 3,326 yards, 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions last year with the Cleveland Browns but ultimately lost his starting spot down the stretch after he threw seven picks in a three-game span. Mallett only appeared in seven games entering the 2015 campaign and has never thrown for more than 400 yards or two touchdowns in a season.

While juggling quarterbacks this early in the campaign is not ideal, it is important that Mallett seizes this opportunity and provides competent play for a team that has playoff aspirations after a 9-7 campaign in 2014.

There is plenty of talent elsewhere, including running back Arian Foster (once he returns), wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and a strong defensive line that includes J.J. Watt, Vince Wilfork and Jadeveon Clowney. Even mediocre performances from the signal-caller could be enough to land the Texans in the playoffs in 2015.