The Houston Texans have proven that the “unofficial” label teams place on their initial depth charts is legitimate, with Wyatt Teller facing that unfortunate reality. Teller signed with the Texans in free agency this past offseason, inking a two-year, $16 million pact.
The former Cleveland Browns starter flipped sides but was still part of the first 11 on the Texans’ “unofficial” depth chart released before their preseason opener.
In preseason Week 2, though, the Texans demoted Teller along with a fellow free agent pickup.
Texans Send ‘Telling’ Message to Wyatt Teller
GettyThe Texans appear to have had a quick change of heart about Wyatt Teller.
The Texans still officially list Teller as their starting left guard on their unofficial depth chart in the wake of their loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2 of the preseason.
Their decision in that game likely supersedes that listing.
“The fact that Teller was playing with the second-team offense is telling. The Texans apparently haven’t been happy with his play throughout training camp. He was first moved to the second team during the team’s joint practice with the Raiders,” the Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander wrote on August 20, noting Keylan Rutledge started at LG and Evan Brown at center.
“Teller losing his spot permanently wouldn’t be ideal. The Texans signed him to a two-year, $16 million contract with the expectation that he would start. He has been a starter throughout his career but struggled in his final season with Cleveland.”
Most damning of all for Teller, the Texans’ starting offense marched right down the field on a convincing opening drive for their lone series of the game, albeit against the Raiders’ backups.
Moreover, Teller did not fare well after entering the game.
“Teller played 10 snaps and allowed one sack Thursday. It was far from the performance he likely hoped for after being relegated to second-team duties,” Alexander wrote. “What that means for his future is unclear. If Teller doesn’t end up as the starter, will the Texans attempt to trade him or keep him for depth?”
Alexander expects the Texans’ joint practice against the Carolina Panthers next week could be highly informative about head coach DeMeco Ryans’ decision on the starters’ statuses for the finale and, quite possibly, Teller’s fate with the team.
If the Texans opt to trade Teller, it could help them add a wide receiver in the wake of Jayden Higgins’ season-ending injury.
C.J. Stroud, DeMeco Ryans Send Clear Messages
GettyEvan Brown has made his case for a starting job with the Texans.
Ryans also seemed to suggest the Texans’ starting offensive lineup against the Raiders is the one they will roll out against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1.
Ryans offered the hint in comments about C.J. Stroud.
“I wanted to see him come out, get some live reps with the first offensive line,” Ryans told reporters on August 20. Just see him get in rhythm, have some efficient plays, and he did exactly what we expected him to do. And that’s the reason you just go get those live reps for him, so it’s not the first time that they’re rolling out versus Buffalo.”
For his part, Stroud also noted that he liked who he played with against the Raiders during his postgame availability, and what he specifically likes about Rutledge and Brown, who remain listed as the starting center and the top backup at left guard, respectively.
“I love how tough they are, how demanding. Their ability to communicate. And yeah, I think, just their–of course, their blocking ability. I think they’re both doing great,” Stroud said.
“I think we made strides in the interior part of our O-line.”
Teller is signed through 2027, but he will count against the Texans’ cap through the 2028 campaign. Conversely, while Teller received a fully guaranteed four-year contract worth north of $19 million, Brown inked a one-year, $2.5 million deal.
Texans’ Offseason Plan Upside Down
GettyBraden Smith has been unable to wrestle the Texans’ starting RT job from Trent Brown.
In addition to Teller, the Texans signed Braden Smith to a two-year, $20 million agreement in free agency this offseason.
Smith also came off the bench against the Raiders.
He was behind incumbent Trent Brown, who re-signed for one year at $5.5 million. Smith, signed through 2027, is on the books through 2028 with a $4.2 million cap hit in 2028. Not the start the Texans had in mind from their major offseason overhaul up front.
$16 Million Starter Gets Bad News After ‘Telling’ Texans Update