Matthew Schaub, known for his role as a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL), began his professional career when he was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Schaub played college football at the University of Virginia, where he set numerous school records and earned accolades for his performance on the field.
In his early years with the Falcons, Schaub served primarily as a backup to Michael Vick. Despite limited playing time, he demonstrated potential during his appearances, which included a notable performance against the New England Patriots in 2005, where he threw for 298 yards and three touchdowns. His time in Atlanta laid the groundwork for his future as a starting quarterback.
Schaub's career took a significant turn in 2007 when he was traded to the Houston Texans. The Texans, seeking stability at the quarterback position, saw Schaub as a promising candidate to lead their offense. In Houston, Schaub quickly established himself as the starting quarterback and became an integral part of the team's offensive strategy. His tenure with the Texans was marked by several impressive seasons, including leading the NFL in passing yards in 2009 with 4,770 yards. That year, he also earned his first Pro Bowl selection, a testament to his performance and leadership on the field.
Under Schaub's guidance, the Texans achieved their first winning season in 2009, finishing with a 9-7 record. His ability to connect with star wide receiver Andre Johnson was a highlight of his time in Houston, as the duo became one of the most productive quarterback-receiver tandems in the league. Schaub's efforts helped the Texans secure their first playoff appearance in franchise history in 2011, although he was sidelined by a foot injury and did not participate in the postseason games.
The 2012 season was another high point for Schaub and the Texans. He led the team to a 12-4 record, earning a second Pro Bowl selection. The Texans advanced to the playoffs, where Schaub secured his first postseason victory against the Cincinnati Bengals in the Wild Card round. However, the team fell short in the Divisional Round against the New England Patriots.
Schaub's performance began to decline in the 2013 season, marked by a series of interceptions returned for touchdowns in consecutive games, a record in the NFL. This downturn led to his eventual benching and the Texans finishing with a disappointing 2-14 record. In 2014, Schaub was traded to the Oakland Raiders, where he was expected to compete for the starting quarterback position. However, he was ultimately relegated to a backup role behind rookie Derek Carr.
Following his stint with the Raiders, Schaub signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 2015, where he served as a backup to Joe Flacco. He saw limited action, starting two games after Flacco suffered a season-ending injury. Schaub then returned to the Atlanta Falcons in 2016, where he spent the remainder of his career as a backup to Matt Ryan. During this period, Schaub provided veteran leadership and experience to the Falcons' quarterback room.
Schaub announced his retirement from professional football in 2020, concluding a career that spanned 17 seasons.
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