In a move that many believed was a matter of when and not if, the New England Patriots have traded quarterback Ryan Mallett to the Houston Texans for a conditional sixth or seventh-round draft pick in 2016.

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The Texans acquire the 26-year-old Mallett after the Patriots decided to go into the 2014 season with Jimmy Garoppolo being the teams primary backup quarterback. The Patriots were divided between keeping Mallett on the roster, trading him or simply releasing him before pulling the trigger with the Texans.

The Texans waived Case Keenum in order to acquire Mallett and it is unclear whether or not Mallett will be given the opportunity to start right away. Mallett and Texans coach Bill O’Brien have a history from back when O’Brien was the Patriots offensive coordinator.

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The Texans believed that Mallett would be released by the Patriots on the near future, but reports are that the Dallas Cowboys emerged as a trade partner for the quarterback. In order to eliminate the chance of losing Mallett, the Texans pulled the trigger on a trade soon after.

Mallett was drafted in the third round of the 2011 NFL draft after off the field issues scared away many teams from drafting him in the earlier rounds. Mallett has stayed out of trouble since entering the NFL and will finally get his can he to prove that he can be a starter in the NFL.

Mallett is 14 of 26 passing for 161 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in three games this preseason. Mallett’s playing time in 2014 and 2015 determines the value of the pick the Texans traded to the Patriots.

[ESPN]

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