Texans Owner Bob McNair Said Brock Osweiler Trade to Browns Was 'A Shocker'

Houston Texans owner Bob McNair can't believe his team was able to trade quarterback Brock Osweiler to the Cleveland Browns this offseason.

"It was a shocker to me," McNair said Monday at the NFL owners' meetings in Phoenix, per John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. "It was unbelievable."     

Texans general manager Rick Smith managed to send Osweiler and a 2018 second-round pick to the Browns to clear the quarterback's $16 million guaranteed 2017 salary and $10 million in cap space. He also exchanged a sixth-round pick for a fourth-rounder in April's draft.

"I couldn't believe that Rick was able to pull it off," McNair added.   

McNair attributed the lack of success with Osweiler to the free-agency process. He pointed out head coach Bill O'Brien "didn't have a chance to get to know him."

That is rarely an issue with a marquee draft pick, since teams bring them in for visits and interview them.

Though Osweiler is no longer around, Houston has Tom Savage and Brandon Weeden under contract at the position. McClain said the Texans will pursue Tony Romo if the Dallas Cowboys release him, however, and "are still expected to use a high pick on a quarterback, possibly even a first-round selection."

Regardless of who lines up under center in 2017, the Texans need better play from the quarterback spot. They finished 9-7 the last three years but haven't advanced past the AFC Divisional Round.

In 2016, Houston allowed the fewest yards per game and finished eighth in rushing yards per contest, but it was an abysmal 29th in passing yards per game. Quick improvement in the aerial attack could be the difference between another early exit and a Super Bowl run.