Texans find No. 3 QB option in NCAA's all-time winnigest passer

The Houston Texans have found their No.3 quarterback for the 2026 NFL season .

According to KPRC 2 Sports' Aaron Wilson, the Texans are signing former South Dakota State and Iowa quarterback Mark Gronkowski to the practice squad. He will now serve as the emergency quarterback behind Davis Mills and can be elevated to the active roster mid-game if one of the two passers is unable to return to the field.

In a corresponding move, the Texans plan to release rookie defensive tackle Dominic Bailey from the practice squad.

Gronowski, who transferred to Iowa in his final season of college football, is the all-time NCAA leader in total wins with 58 victories between his time with the Jackrabbits and Hawkeyes. Last season, he guided Iowa to a 9-4 finish, including a promising win over Vanderbilt in the Reliaquest Bowl to close out the bowl season.

For his career, Gronkowski completed 63.7% of his passes for over 12,000 yards, 103 touchdowns, and 27 interceptions. Known for his mobility, the 6-foot-2 standout also finished with 500 career carries for 2,312 yards and 53 rushing touchdowns.

Gronowski spent the preseason on the Miami Dolphins' 90-man roster. He saw most of his action against the Atlanta Falcons in the preseason finale, completing four passes for 97 yards. He also ran it four times for 28 yards.

The Texans needed to find a No. 3 option after second-year starter Graham Mertz suffered a torn ACL in the preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. After initial roster cutdowns, Houston was the league's only team not to carry a third option on its initial practice squad.

The Texans open the reason on Sunday at Reliant Stadium against the Buffalo Bills.