2017 Houston Texans Training Camp Preview: The Quarterback Conundrum

We have reached the end of our training camp previews, and with that, we’ll take a look at the most important position on the roster. This is the story that will dominate most of the headlines - the quarterback battle.

The Texans made a rather large investment this offseason when they traded up in the 2017 NFL Draft to select Deshaun Watson with Cleveland’s twelfth overall pick. Watson will have to contend with incumbent Tom Savage for the starting role this season, so let’s address some of the big concerns at quarterback heading into camp.

Will Bill O’Brien stand by his word?

All through the offseason, Bill O’Brien has maintained his stance that starting Watson right away was unlikely. ‘‘I just think for me as a general rule, that’s tough to start them as a Day One guy.,” O’Brien said.

OB also stood by this after Watson was drafted, claiming that Tom Savage would still be the starter for the Texans come Week One.

Allow me to put forward a hypothetical. If Savage doesn’t get injured and isn’t complete garbage as the starter (let’s say he’s roughly the same as Ryan Fitzpatrick when he was Houston’s starter, which I believe is the definition of “adequate” as an NFL starter). Will O’Brien look at Watson and think that maybe the grass is greener with his rookie than with his vet?

How will Tom Savage perform as a starter?

Have you heard? Tom Savage is injury prone!

In all seriousness, Savage’s health will be a concern heading into the season. He was sidelined for his entire sophomore season in 2015 and has had a series of small injuries that have lingered, including a concussion that effectively ended his brief turn as a starting quarterback last season. This has led to Savage playing a whopping total of 206 snaps over his entire NFL career. Expecting much, if anything, out of Savage seems like a fool's errand, considering the amount of time he’s actually played in the NFL. There is precious little to suggest that Savage will be a quality starter, just as there is precious little to suggest that he won’t be a quality starter.

Are we all sleeping on Brandon Weeden as a potential starter?

No. No, we are not.

That’s a quick look at the quarterback position and its many plot lines as we head into training camp. Do you think Watson will end training camp as the starter, or will Bill O’Brien stand by Savage as the No. 1 guy? Will we see any of Watson this season? If so, when?