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Texans release Brian Hoyer a month after adding Brock Osweiler

Osweiler is assured the starting job after signing a blockbuster deal with the Texans, so Hoyer is the odd man out.

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jeanna Kelley
Jeanna Kelley has been covering the Falcons for The Falcoholic since 2011 and the NFL for SB Nation since 2015.

After signing former Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler to a four-year, $72 million contract, the Texans have released quarterback Brian Hoyer, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The Texans made it official on Tuesday, and also released quarterback B.J. Daniels.

Hoyer played in 11 games for the Texans last season, and was one of four quarterbacks who took snaps under center for Houston in 2015. Hoyer went into the regular season as the Texans starter, but was benched for Ryan Mallett during of an abysmal Week 1 performance that included a pick on his very first pass of the game, a fumble and four sacks. Hoyer played so poorly that Texans fans began chanting for Mallett during that loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Hoyer took over for Mallett midway through Houston's Week 4 implosion against the Atlanta Falcons and managed to earn back the starting job after again relieving Mallett in the Texans' Week 5 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Hoyer finished the season with 2,606 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions over nine regular season starts.

His performance against the Kansas City Chiefs in the postseason, however, did not make a strong case for Houston to retain him. Hoyer threw for just 136 yards while throwing four interceptions and fumbling the ball twice en route to a 30-0 loss at home.

Houston has no adverse cap impact associated with cutting Hoyer, who signed a two-year, $10.5 million contract with the Texans prior to the 2015 season. All of Hoyer’s guaranteed money was fulfilled in 2015, so Houston won’t carry any dead money after this roster move.

After signing Osweiler to a contract that assures he’s the favorite to start for the Texans next season, there’s no reason for them not move on from Hoyer.

* * *

Another One: Brian Hoyer’s disastrous 5-turnover finale in a Texans jersey

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