Matt Leinart reverses course, stays with Houston Texans
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In a prime example of how free-agency moves this week are not etched in stone, quarterback Matt Leinart has decided not to rejoin Pete Carroll in Seattle -– a deal that couldn’t be signed until Friday -– and instead will stay with the Houston Texans.
According to individuals with knowledge of the negotiations, Leinart had agreed to terms with the Seahawks on Tuesday and intended to be reunited with Carroll, his college coach, believing his only quarterback competition would have been Charlie Whitehurst.
However, the Houston Chronicle reported Wednesday that Leinart was bothered to learn that Seattle subsequently agreed to terms with former Minnesota quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, Brett Favre’s backup with the Vikings. In Minnesota, Jackson played under offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who now has that job in Seattle, so the quarterback is very familiar with the offensive system.
Leinart did not return phone messages.
According to the Chronicle, Leinart changed his mind once Jackson agreed to a deal with Seattle. The newspaper also reported Leinart told Texans Coach Gary Kubiak that he wanted to sign with a team that would give him a chance to start. That’s not immediately likely in Houston, which has a starting quarterback in Matt Schaub.
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-- Sam Farmer