INDIANAPOLIS -- Not if the Texans can help it.

Yesterday, Texans general manager Rick Smith and coach Bill O'Brien made clear their hope that Mallett returns to the Texans next season. That public push was matched internally. The buzz here in Indianapolis is the Texans could reach a deal with Mallett well before teams can start having conversations with other teams' free agents on March 7.

The one speed bump that could surface is that awaiting external market. Outside of Mallett, this year's free-agent quarterback group is headlined by guys like Philadelphia's Mark Sanchez, Cleveland's Brian Hoyer, Tennessee's Jake Locker, Minnesota's Christian Ponder and Indianapolis's Matt Hasselbeck. That's a group with much more experience than Mallett, but also many more failures.

That Mallett is a bit more of an unknown quantity, having only played one healthy game, will make him attractive -- given his arm, his football IQ and the fire with which he plays. Mallett played well against the Cleveland Browns, but we don't know yet what kind of quarterback he would be as a regular starter. Still what he's shown so far offers hope, and in a weak free agent market, hope can be a powerful thing.

That hope is why he's a priority for the Texans.

Mallett played the final year of his rookie contract in Houston after the Texans traded for him on Aug. 31. He spent the first half of the season catching up on the Texans' system, one he already knew pretty well given his history with O'Brien in New England.

When he took over as the Texans' starter in Week 11 after the team's bye week, he brought a shift in leadership the Texans needed. His arm strength was apparent, and he managed the Texans offense well. Some of his teammates even said Mallett's knowledge of the Texans' offense helped them all play better together.

From a purely football standpoint, it just makes sense for this relationship to continue. That possibility might become reality soon.