HOUSTON -- After the Dallas Cowboys released Brandon Weeden, owner Jerry Jones said quarterback Matt Cassel would have won the games Weeden lost.
Weeden has now helped the Houston Texans to the brink of a playoff berth. He was asked Monday if it's a little more satisfying considering the Cowboys have become a "dumpster fire."
"I mean yeah, absolutely," Weeden said during an interview with Oklahoma City radio station 107.7 The Franchise. "We get to play extra football and (Jerry Jones will) be watching on his couch. That's what it's all about. We're playing for something and it's a fun time of year."
Jones actually liked hearing that from Weeden.
"If you recall his parting shot was when they asked how he felt about his time here, he said he was pissed, the quote," Jones said during an interview with 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. "I like that. The thing that you wanted from him was competitiveness, caring, really getting in there and getting angst about it and really passionate about it. Boy, you got to have it there. It's manifested in many different ways. It doesn't have to come out in a real vocal way, but it's got to be there. And, so, I'm really proud for him. I thought that was outstanding."
The Cowboys (4-11) have imploded because of injuries to quarterback Tony Romo. Weeden helped the Cowboys to a win after Romo's first injury, but went 0-3 as a starter in Dallas. Cassel went 1-6 as the Cowboys' starter.
The Texans claimed Weeden off waivers Nov. 18. Since then, Weeden has helped the Texans (8-7) to two divisional wins in the last two weeks. Weeden entered the Texans' win over the Colts when quarterback T.J. Yates suffered a torn ACL, and he started and finished the Texans' 34-6 win over the Titans on Sunday.
Jones was asked during the radio interview why the Cowboys couldn't get the same production out of Weeden.
"I don't have an answer for that," he said. "I really don't have an answer. ... Our read on him that he was better coming into a ballgame, but the whole week of preparation and getting ready to play was where his inexperience and whatever was showing. This wasn't the case here. He had the whole week that Houston could prepare and I give their staff and give him their due. Good job."
Texans coach Bill O'Brien said Brian Hoyer will be the Texans starter once more as soon as he passes the league's concussion protocol. He praised Weeden's play Sunday and Monday, as did several of Weeden's teammates.
"Everybody here in this locker room has got my back," Weeden said during the radio interview. "They understand how this league works. They were just as shocked as I was with some of the things Jerry or whoever was saying."