Major Trade
Matt Schaub aims for a "fresh start" after Texans trade him to Oakland
The Houston Texans announced Friday that they've traded quarterback Matt Schaub to the Oakland Raiders for a sixth round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Schaub becomes the Raiders starting quarterback with the move.
"On behalf of the Houston Texans organization, I’d like to thank Matt Schaub for the contributions he has made to this franchise on and off the field,” general manager Rick Smith said in a statement. “Matt and his wife, Laurie, have given so much back to the Houston community through their GR8 Hope Foundation and have really served as role models here in so many ways. We wish the entire Schaub Family well in the future.”
"A fresh start can do a lot of things for a player and for a team . . . Last year did not go as I had planned."
Schaub joins another former Texan, defensive lineman Antonio Smith, as a new addition to the Raiders roster.
At a press conference, Schaub expressed enthusiasm about his new team. "I'm very excited. I'm very excited to get to work, to be part of this team," he said while wearing the Oakland Raiders black and silver cap. "A fresh start is very important. A fresh start can do a lot of things for a player and for a team . . . Last year did not go as I had planned."
The quarterback holds the Texans team records in every significant offensive category, but lost his starting job after he threw a pick-six in four consecutive games and five of seven games. Overall, Schaub finished the season with 10 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions.
Reaction among NFL experts has been mixed. Sports Illustrated writer Doug Farrar gave the trade an F, writing "Unless the Raiders have a deal in place to renegotiate with Schaub, they’re going to lose millions in cap room in 2014 for a quarterback who clearly has major mechanical issues, they’re going to do it when Michael Vick and Josh Freeman are on the open market and they’re giving up a draft pick for the 'honor.' This is the kind of move that gets people fired."
However, on ESPN.com, Kevin Seifert writes that the move makes sense as part of the Raiders move to win more games. "In the end, the Raiders did what they had to do: Find a more credible option at quarterback to carry out their short-term approach. Memories are short, but it wasn't long ago that Matt Schaub was one of the league's more consistent starters. In context, his arrival in Oakland -- at least at this moment — was an easy call."