Texans QB Davis Mills Actually Believes He Could Start Over C.J. Stroud; Team Rejects Trades

Davis Mills

Bob Levey/Getty Image


Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills remains undeterred by the team’s selection of C.J. Stroud with the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Despite the arrival of the highly touted Ohio State rookie, Mills firmly believes that he is competing for the starting role on the team.

Mills had a challenging season in 2022, throwing 17 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 15 games while leading the Texans to a disappointing 3-10-1 record. The fact that the Texans used their second overall pick to select Stroud speaks volumes about their dissatisfaction with Mills’ performance.

However, Mills remains focused on his own development and is determined to prove himself in the competition for the starting job.

Speaking to the media after the Texans’ OTA session on Tuesday, Mills expressed his unwavering commitment to improvement. “I keep working on myself,” he said. “I put my head down and work every day.” Despite his subpar statistics from last season, Mills is confident that he has what it takes to earn the starting role.

Nevertheless, it appears that Mills faces an uphill battle to secure the starting position for Week 1. Unless there is a significant setback for Stroud during training camp, it is widely expected that the rookie will be given the opportunity to start.

In light of Mills’ situation, there have been trade inquiries from other teams interested in acquiring him. However, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, the Texans have rejected these inquiries and have no intention of parting ways with Mills.

Wilson stated, “Teams have interest in potential trade scenarios for Mills, but he is unavailable.” This indicates that the Texans value Mills and are not willing to entertain offers for him at this time.

To support the development of the young quarterback Stroud, the Texans made a notable addition during the offseason by signing veteran passer Case Keenum.

Keenum’s experience and knowledge of the game will serve as valuable mentorship for Stroud. The presence of Keenum also raises questions about the future of Davis Mills in Houston. It remains to be seen whether the Texans will choose to retain all three quarterbacks or if Mills will find himself seeking opportunities elsewhere.

As the offseason progresses and training camp approaches, the quarterback competition between Davis Mills and C.J. Stroud will be closely watched. Mills remains determined to prove his worth and compete for the starting job, while the Texans organization faces a decision of how to best utilize their rookie quarterback for the upcoming season.