C.J. Stroud has plenty of people to thank for a steady first season as the starting quarterback for the Houston Texans.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans is one of them.
Quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik are owed a thank you.
So are backups Davis Mills and Case Keenum, who pushed Stroud in practice to perform like it was gameday to secure the title of QB1. Without Mills, perhaps Stroud’s breakout season would have seen less production.
With Mills now locked into the backup role beyond 2024, the Texans’ franchise signal-caller is among the happiest to see him get paid.
“I’m very happy for him and proud of him,” Stroud said Wednesday following Mills’ contract extension.
A former 2021 third-round pick out of Stanford, the Texans and Mills agreed to terms on a one-year, $5 million extension to him at NRG Stadium through the 2025 season. Mills was entering a contract season and could have tested free agency to compete as a starter elsewhere, thus leaving the Texans without a secondary option.
Mills has proven his value as a serviceable backup and fringe starter. After replacing Tyrod Taylor in 2021, the former top quarterback recruit helped Houston stay afloat for two seasons under the David Culley and Lovie Smith regime.
Across 26 starts, Mills compiled a 5–19–1 record with 35 touchdowns and 25 interceptions. Even though Stroud replaced him after being drafted No. 2 overall in 2023, Mills pushed Stroud to improve weekly.
Their relationship had grown beyond just teammates who play the same position.
https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1831299295196176585
“Davis and I have created a great relationship. He’s definitely helped me out a ton,” Stroud said. “We have our little dinners and what not, and just being able to talk to him and his wife, to see where they come from, and just really having that brotherhood and fellowship has been amazing in that quarterback room.”
Mills said he wanted to stick around Houston for the long haul and sees a promising future with the organization. While the Texans hope they won’t have to call upon him in games outside of a blowout, they know their quarterback room is in good hands.
“Davis had a really great training camp, saw big-time improvement from last year to this year,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Thought he handled camp really well, playing some of his best ball in training camp, and he went out and proved it in the snaps he was able to get in the preseason.”
The Texans take on the Colts this Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium at noon CT.