Tag: davis mills

Texans hypothetical trade sends QB Davis Mills to Broncos

An NFL writer suggested the Houston Texans should send Davis Mills to the Denver Broncos this offseason.

The Houston Texans are no strangers to offseason trades.

Houston made three big ones during the first week of free agency. The Texans traded for running back Joe Mixon, traded away defensive tackle Maliek Collins and then traded out of the first round of the NFL draft.

And now, the 33rd Team’s Ian Valentino thinks Houston could make another trade. Valentino wrote that the Texans should trade quarterback Davis Mills to the Denver Broncos for a conditional 2025 fourth-round pick.

“The 26-year-old is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and the Denver Broncos are the only team in the league without a somewhat viable passer on the roster,” Valentino added. “Mills has been a below-average but respectable presence in 34 games. He doesn’t create high-end plays but avoids disastrous ones well enough. A conditional selection that maxes out as a fourth-round pick would allow Denver to be somewhat functional, even if a rookie doesn’t fall into their lap.”

This would be a low-risk, low-reward trade for Houston. Mills was a serviceable backup for C.J. Stroud in 2023 who threw two touchdowns in relief of Case Keenum in the Week 16 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Keenum earned the start over Mills for both of the games Stroud missed with a concussion and beat the Tennessee Titans in Week 15, so he’s already ahead of Mills in the depth chart.

The prospect of earning as high as a fourth for Mills would be enticing for general manager Nick Caserio. Mills likely won’t be re-signed in 2025, but his NFL experience in a backup capacity is valuable — for both Houston and another team.

Whether or not this actually manifests itself remains to be seen, though.

Texans’ Davis Mills says he has improved as a quarterback

Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills believes that he has shown improvement at the position over the past year.

Davis Mills hasn’t claimed a start for the Houston Texans since Jan. 8, but the third-year quarterback believes he has improved in that span.

Rookie C.J. Stroud has started all 13 games for Houston this season, but Mills may have to relieve the No. 2 overall pick, who remains in concussion protocol following the Texans’ 30-6 loss to the New York Jets in Week 14.

With the 7-6 Texans facing the Tennessee Titans on the road, Mills addressed the curiosity concerning how he has grown as a quarterback in nearly a year.

“I don’t know if you’re looking for specifics, but pretty much all around,” Mills said via Aaron Wilson of KPRC-TV. “Try to make myself a complete quarterback, go out there and make plays. That’s pretty much what it boils down to. It’s about efficiency and spreading the ball around to the offense and letting playmakers make plays.”

The last time Mills faced the Titans on the road was Week 16 last season and delivered a 19-14 win. The former third-rounder from Stanford went 17-of-28 for 178 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.

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How much ground are Texans losing with QB Davis Mills?

The Houston Texans are no doubt getting a downgrade at QB in Week 15, but how far is the chasm between C.J. Stroud and Davis Mills?

When an NFL team goes from their starting quarterback to second string, they have to adjust to a stepdown at the position.

Such is the case with the Houston Texans. As rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud is stuck in the concussion protocol, the Texans will rely on third-year Davis Mills to guide the offense against the Tennessee Titans in Week 15.

According to Cody Benjamin from CBS Sports, the Texans are going to put the 24th-best quarterback under center at Nissan Stadium for the 12:00 p.m. Central Time kickoff.

C.J. Stroud would represent the Texans in the top 10, but the standout rookie is in concussion protocol after exiting Week 14 against the Jets. Mills, meanwhile, has plenty of starting experience, but he’s been more prone to untimely giveaways.

From top-10 to No. 24 — such is the perception of talent lost between Stroud and Mills.

The former third-rounder from Stanford went 17-of-28 for 178 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in Houston’s 19-14 win over Tennessee last year in Week 16 at Nissan Stadium. Mills has shown the ability to beat the Titans on the road in December once before.

Across the rest of the AFC South, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence came in at No. 13 with the Tennessee Titans’ Will Levis following directly behind. The Indianapolis Colts’ Gardner Minshew was No. 22.

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DeMeco Ryans says QB Davis Mills has done ‘good job’ with what Texans have asked

Coach DeMeco Ryans says Houston Texans QB Davis Mills has met his requirements for what the team has asked him to do throughout 2023.

DeMeco Ryans’ new era Houston Texans may have to borrow from the frustrating past to get through Week 15.

Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud may be down with a concussion as the Texans face the Tennessee Titans Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time at Nissan Stadium. If so, Houston will start former 2021 third-rounder Davis Mills for the 27th time.

While much outside focus has been on Stroud, internal attention has been given to Mills, like every player, throughout the year.

Ryans knows what the Texans have.

“Davis has done a good job with everything that we’ve asked him to do,” Ryans told reporters Wednesday. “He’s done a really good job of just leading in his own right, just seeing him on our scout team, just seeing how he helps out — helps us out with the defensive looks. He’s done a really good job of what he’s been asked to do.”

Mills will be asked to lead Houston to a win over the Titans and keep the Texans’ playoff hopes alive. At 7-6, the Texans are part of the “in the hunt” category and are the provisional No. 8 seed — meaning they would miss the playoffs.

The former Stanford product led Houston to a 19-14 victory over Tennessee in Week 16 last season when the Titans were 7-7 and grasping on their evaporating lead in the AFC South. The loss helped Tennessee falter in Week 18 and lose their division lead and playoff spot entirely.

Experience can be the best teacher.

Said Ryans: “If you’ve been there, you’ve done it and you’re not making the moment bigger than it should be. Experience helps us all. So, you would like to think that experience would definitely help out.”

Mills went 17-of-28 for 178 yards, a touchdown, an interception, and posted a 72.6 passer rating in the win over Tennessee.

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Texans fans react to QB Davis Mills leading first team offense

Houston Texans fans weren’t too pleased to hear Davis Mills was leading the first team offense on Wednesday.

The Houston Texans had a great thing going with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, and then a concussion hit when the No. 2 overall pick took a sack against the New York Jets in Week 14.

Stroud went from the MetLife Stadium surface to concussion protocol. Third-year Davis Mills, an emblem of the franchise’s on-field struggles the past two seasons, finished out the game. The former 2021 third-rounder may also start at the Tennessee Titans Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time if Stroud isn’t able to clear protocol.

Midweek indications are Stroud won’t. Mills was spotted taking the first team snaps.

Here are some of the best social media reactions to come from Texans fans, who are no doubt heartbroken at the possibility of not having Stroud under center in Week 15.

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Texans fans react to Davis Mills replacing C.J. Stroud for a play against the Cardinals

Houston Texans fans took a trip down memory lane for one play, and it was met with mixed reactions. Well, not before undergoing the psychological horror of watching your fantastic rookie quarterback seemingly knocked out of the game. C.J. Stroud …

Houston Texans fans took a trip down memory lane for one play, and it was met with mixed reactions.

Well, not before undergoing the psychological horror of watching your fantastic rookie quarterback seemingly knocked out of the game. C.J. Stroud exited the game with the Arizona Cardinals following a sack with 13:04 to go in the third quarter Sunday at NRG Stadium. Replacing Stroud was backup Davis Mills, whose 5-19-1 record over the past two seasons is what helped Stroud come to Houston in the first place.

Texans fans had feelings of fear seeing Mills drop back for old times sake and also relief of seeing Stroud return to the game. Here are some of the best reactions.

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Rams should make a last-minute move for Texans QB Davis Mills

On trade deadline day in the NFL, the Rams need make make a move. Here’s why Les Snead should go after Texans QB Davis Mills.

With Matthew Stafford currently listed as day-to-day with a thumb injury, the Rams have been calling around for some quarterback help. Brett Rypien is the current backup but he could be called into service if Stafford isn’t good to go. With rookie backup Stetson Bennett being away from the team and former Rams quarterback John Wolford electing to stay with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Rams need a new quarterback. With the NFL’s trade deadline coming at day’s end, it’s time Les Snead makes an eleventh-hour move for Texans QB Davis Mills.

Mills is a victim of time and circumstance. A five-star prospect coming out of Georgia, he beat out K.J. Costello for the starting job at Stanford in his redshirt sophomore year. The problem was that he played during the worst era of David Shaw’s tenure and thus he wasn’t exposed to the nation like Cardinal players in years past.

He decided to not extend his time in college because of this and some other factors, opting to enter the 2020 NFL Draft. The QB-loaded draft saw Mills fall to the third round. Had he gone the following year, not only could Mills have been the highest-selected QB in the 2021 NFL Draft, but he might’ve gone first overall.

However, that is then and this is now. The Texans decided that with a new head coach in DeMeco Ryans, they would also reset the clock on their QB with C.J. Stroud. Stroud is off to a hot start this year and when he eventually breaks all of the Texans’ rookie QB records, you will find that some of those records belong to Mills.

Mills shocked people in his first two years in the league. With two different head coaches and a front office oozing dysfunction, Mills put up a career completion percentage of 63.6, over 5,700 passing yards and 33 touchdowns. He did throw 25 interceptions but since he consistently had to play hero ball in an offense full of average players, it’s bound to happen.

Now, Mills is in the third year of his rookie deal, wasting away on the Houston bench. Two things have become evident for the Rams: Stafford’s time in the NFL may be running out faster than we would have hoped and the Rams have no true backup/replacement for him. Mills could be that guy.

Mills possesses the arm talent, intelligence and resume to be a star in Sean McVay’s offense. He is cheap to acquire and to have on the books contract-wise. He’s healthy, he wants to play and he has overachieved since the moment he came into the league. If the Rams want to get serious in 2023, Mills is the perfect place to start.

11 QBs Vikings can acquire after Kirk Cousins’ torn Achilles

With the trade deadline looming, the Vikings could make a trade to acquire a quarterback

The Minnesota Vikings saw their season take a major blow this past Sunday as quarterback Kirk Cousins reportedly tore his Achilles tendon in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers.

The Vikings are riding high on a three-game winning streak, but not having their starting quarterback with how the team is structured is heartbreaking and could crater the season.

There are multiple options that the Vikings could take and they start in-house. Jaren Hall replaced Cousins on the field Sunday afternoon and is the likely option moving forward. There is also Nick Mullens who can return from injured reserve next week against the Atlanta Falcons.

If they don’t like either of those two options, they can try and trade for someone at the trade deadline, which is Halloween. There aren’t going to be many teams who will want to trade a quarterback at the end of October, but its not unprecedented.

It’s slim pickings for a position that is very shallow but there are options available. Here are 11 quarterbacks that the Vikings could acquire after the unfortunate injury to Cousins.

Texans vs. Colts live blog: 31-20 Colts, FINAL

Here is how to catch all of the action between the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts for Week 2.

The Houston Texans gave their fans optimism despite the Week 1 loss. Quarterback C.J. Stroud didn’t look shaken or stirred by the Baltimore Ravens defense in his first career start.

The optimism is tainted as the No. 2 overall pick is questionable for the Week 2 showdown with the Indianapolis Colts and No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson.

Is it already Davis Mills time again in Houston?

How to watch

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans — Sunday, Sept. 17, 12:00 p.m. CT

TV channel: KRIV-TV

Live stream: FuboTV

Radio: Sports Radio 610 (KILT-AM), Mega 101 (KLOL-FM) (Marc Vandermeer & Andre Ware)

Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Forecast: Sunny, 87 degrees, 6 mph wind (indoors)

Follow the @TheTexansWire and the crew (@therealmarklane, @BigSargeSportz, @chrisnallsnfl @JohnHCrumpler)

Pregame

Good news: Stroud is playing. Bad news: LT Laremy Tunsil will not.

First quarter

15:00 — The Colts get the ball first as K Ka’imi Fairbairn boots the opening kickoff for a touchback.

10:49 — QB Anthony Richardson rushes for an 18-yard touchdown. K Matt Gay hits the extra point. Indianapolis goes 75 yards in 10 plays to start the game. 7-0, Colts

9:04 — On a third-and-5 from the Texans’ 23-yard line, Stroud takes a sack. The officials initially ruled down by contact as to whether or not Stroud lost the football. However, Indianapolis coach Shane Steichen threw his challenge flag and the play is under review.

9:18 — It doesn’t take but one play as Richardson rushes for a 15-yard touchdown. Extra point is good. 14-0, Colts

3:19 — Stroud finally throws his first career touchdown, and naturally it would have an Ohio State-Michigan flair to it as WR Nico Collins hauled in the 8-yard pass. Fairbairn’s extra point is good. 14-7, Colts

2:23 — The Texans defense gets a stop as Richardson’s pass for TE Kylen Granson falls incomplete on third-and-7 from the Colts’ 28.

1:26 — Stroud is sacked for a 9-yard loss on third-and-7 from the Texans’ 37.

Second quarter

14:24 — On a third-and-20 from the Colts’ 22-yard line, Indianapolis commits illegal formation. The Texans wisely decline to end the Colts’ drive and force a punt.

12:45 — QB Gardner Minshew is in the game for the Colts as Richardson is in the blue medical tent.

9:47 — RB Zack Moss rushes for an 11-yard touchdown. Extra point is good. 21-7, Colts

7:06 — The Texans had a good one on third-and-3 from the Colts’ 30 as Stroud hit Collins for a 28-yard pass down to the Indianapolis 2. However, OT Josh Jones was not on the line of scrimmage; illegal formation.

6:41 — Houston responds as Stroud hits WR Robert Woods for a 19-yard gain up to the Colts’ 16.

4:33 — Stroud can’t connect with TE Dalton Schultz on third-and-5 from the Colts’ 11.

4:25 — Houston sends Fairbairn out for a 29-yard field goal. 21-10, Colts

0:15 — Minshew throws a pass to Granson that is short of the goal line. However, the Replay Official reviewed the line to gain as it was inside two minutes. Ruling on the field was overturned, and it was ruled a touchdown. Extra point is good. 28-10, Colts

Halftime

Stats

TEXANS

Stroud: 8/15, 110 yards, TD

Dameon Pierce: 10 carries, 26 yards

Nico Collins: 3 catches, 60 yards, TD

 

COLTS

Richardson: 6/10, 56 yards; 3 carries, 35 yards 2 TDs

Minshew: 11/13, 114 yards, TD

Zack Moss: 10 carries, 54 yards, TD; 3 carries, 16 yards

Will Mallory: 2 catches, 49 yards

 

Third quarter

13:46 — Facing a three-and-out on the opening drive of the second half, Stroud hits Woods for 20 yards on a third-and-13 from the Houston 22.

11:38 — Stroud sneaks for a first down on fourth-and-1 from the Colts’ 49, but the ball came out and the TV advertisers win as the Colts recover an alleged fumble for a touchdown. It didn’t matter as the Colts had 12 men on the field anyway.

9:58 — On a third-and-12 from the Colts’ 46-yard line, Stroud throws a screen to Pierce that loses five yards.

7:15 — CB Derek Stingley was injured on the play.

5:54 — Gay hits a 42-yard field goal. 31-10, Colts

2:33 — While the game may be a reminder of the past three seasons, here is evidence of the Stroud effect. Collins catches a 25-yard pass on second-and-10 from the Houston 49. That catch pushes Collins to five catches for a career high 105 yards.

0:27 — Pierce gets stuffed on first-and-goal from the 2. OT George Fant is injured on the play.

Fourth quarter

14:11 — A touchdown between Stroud and WR Tank Dell is nullified due to a hold by Jones. On an ensuing third-and-goal from the 12, Stroud is sacked.

13:27 — Houston settles for a Fairbairn field goal of 36 yards. 31-13, Colts

11:57 — Minshew hits WR Michael Pittman for a 6-yard gain on third-and-7 from the Colts’ 28. Indianapolis gets dinged with ineligible man downfield anyway.

9:54 — Stroud hits Dell for a 23-yard touchdown. Extra point is good. 31-20, Colts

4:12 — Collins caught a 32-yard pass, which gives him six catches for 137 yards and a touchdown on the afternoon.

2:44 — DT Kurt Hinish has a false start on a blocked field goal attempt. Fairbairn’s try from 51 yards is no good.

0:00 — Houston falls to the Colts for the first time since 2021. The Texans are 0-2 for the first time since 2020. Coverage continues on Texans Wire.

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C.J. Stroud on winning over Texans’ locker room as a rookie: ‘I think that means a little more’

C.J. Stroud reflected on winning over the #Texans’ locker room in his comments to the media on Sunday.

Houston Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud has never run from competition when it came to the game he has loved since he was a kid. He embraces it and wants to prove to his coaches that he deserves to be under center when the game starts.

During his redshirt freshman At Ohio State, he was in a fierce quarterback battle with three other players, including Quinn Ewers, who had reclassified to play in the Spring for the Buckeyes with a chance to be the starter when the season started.

All four quarterbacks were looking to replace Justin Fields, whom the Chicago Bears had drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day took his time evaluating all his quarterbacks before eventually naming Stroud as the starter in the season opener against the Minnesota Gophers.

After being drafted by the Texans with the No.2 selection in this year’s draft, Stroud had to repeat the process he had at Ohio State all over again as head coach DeMeco Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio did not want to name a regular-season starter, allowing third-year quarterback Davis Mills to retain his starting position.

On Sunday, Ryans made it official after the final preseason game that Stroud would be the starter in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens.

Winning quarterback battles is easy for the talented 21-year-old from Rancho Cucamonga, California. It is capturing the locker room as a rookie that means more to Stroud than anything.

“Honestly, I think that means a little more,” said Stroud about being recognized as a leader in the locker room. “Something about football, I think everything kind of happens naturally. Like either you’re going to play good, or you’re not. Whatever is going to happen happens. But locker rooms, those are where bonds and brotherhood and things that really mean something to me happen.”

“And I mean, I just came in and was myself and think guys gravitated towards me and got to hang out with a lot of dudes off the field in the locker room and do some things that were awesome group bonding, and I definitely think that’s what makes football special. You got so many dudes from different walks of life to come together to play this amazing sport, and all of us to be in the locker room and sharing the same name. That’s special, man, because it’s hard to do. I don’t think there is any other profession that does that at our scale and has to trust on seeing other guys do their jobs.”

Trust has been the most vital characteristic trait that Stroud has exuded in the locker room and on the field. His teammates have picked up on it from his arrival, and it has carried over throughout training camp and the preseason. Especially his wide receivers, who have developed continuity with him over the few months they have worked together.

“Growth,” said third-year wide receiver Nico Collins about Stroud after the preseason game against the New Orleans Saints. “Each day, he is just growing. We are all doing it step-by-step we are all growing as an offense, as a unit, and as a team. We just feel that energy; we are there for each other and can’t wait for the season.”