One of the best parts about the Houston Texans having a franchise quarterback in C.J. Stroud is the obvious stability it brings to the position. Texans' fans are all too familiar with the dysfunction that ensues when you are unable to find this answer. It was where Houston was prior to Deshaun Watson and where the franchise returned for a short time before landing C.J. Stroud.
During this time, one backup option the Texans brought in is current Detroit Lions backup quarterback Kyle Allen. The veteran backup would replace Davis Mills in the 2022 season before being promptly benched after Houston realized what a mistake they had made.
Allen is a borderline backup who consistently turns the ball over and makes the wrong reads. Even in meaningless preseason action, this was exposed with the quarterback having a tough night in the league's first preseason game. The numbers don't do the poor performance full justice, with the quarterback finishing 9/14 for less than 100 passing yards and tossing two ugly interceptions. It was a reminder of a darker time for Houston and how far the team has come in the two years since. For Allen, this has to be a damaging outing.
Former Texans Quarterback Kyle Allen Implodes in Preseason Debut
The veteran quarterback is competing with Hendon Hooker to back up Jared Goff. It is hard to say which player won the first chance at winning the role. Both guys looked overmatched despite playing against depth options and fringe roster pieces. This is what makes Allen's struggles and awful interceptions so concerning. Not a single Chargers defensive starter was out making plays when the quarterback was having issues. Head coach Jim Harbaugh opted to protect his players and give depth pieces a chance to shine.
Players competing for the final spots on the depth chart were exposing the backup quarterback and making it clear what a problem Detroit has at the position. The fact that the Texans are only two years removed from believing this same quarterback is a starting option serves as a reminder of how far the franchise has come. Winning one of the most lopsided trades in league history, dealing Watson only to find a superior franchise quarterback two seasons later, makes the short misery well worth it.
However, things aren't looking so bright for the former Texan, who badly hurt his chances of winning the job in game one. While the score might not matter, personal performance does, and the quarterback made the worst type of statement with the entire league watching.