Ryan Mallett flattered the Texans want him back

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Texans free agent quarterback Ryan Mallett is flattered the Texans want him back.

Speaking at an event at Texas Children's Hospital Wednesday, Mallett did not want to get into specifics about his upcoming free agency, but says he would love to come back to Houston.

"I'd love to be here," Mallett said. "Hopefully we can get something worked out."

During the NFL Combine in Indianapolis last week, Head Coach Bill O'Brien said he would like for Mallett to come back.

"It feels good to be wanted, feels better than not being wanted," said Mallett.

O'Brien addressed Mallett, and other potential roster moves.

"Anytime you have a core of a team you want to keep the core together," O'Brien says, "but you have to do what is best for the team."

When asked about recruiting and doing a sales job on Mallett, O'Brien said, "Im not a salesmen, I'm a football coach."

Mallett says he is on track to play next season after missing the end of the 2014 season with a torn pectoral muscle.

"I'm getting close," he said. "It's a day by day process but we will see how it goes."