The Houston Texans are giving 2022 to Davis Mills.
The second-year signal caller from Stanford is getting his chance to lead an NFL offense as the Texans didn’t bring in adequate competition in free agency, nor did they use a single pick on a quarterback in the 2022 NFL draft.
Kyle Allen, Jeff Driskel, and Kevin Hogan are players who will make for a strong quarterback room, not challenge Mills for the starting job.
Giving Mills the keys to the offense solves the starting quarterback conundrum some teams have to sort through amid offseason workouts and training camp. However, it doesn’t mean the path will be any less bumpy for the Texans.
The 2021 third-round pick went 2-9 as a rookie, mostly filling in for an injured Tyrod Taylor following a Week 2 hamstring strain. After starting 0-6, Mills went back to the bench before Taylor’s uninspired, puzzling play compelled Houston to start the rookie for the final five games. Mills did not disappoint as the Texans posted a 2-3 record with the young quarterback compiling a 9-2 touchdown to interception ratio and a 102.4 passer rating. One of Mills’ wins was against the playoff-contending Los Angeles Chargers, whose loss to Houston eventually cost them a spot in the playoffs.
Even though the Texans are invested in Mills for 2022, they know there will be growing pains.
“Quarterback is the toughest position in football and you have to put time in,” coach Lovie Smith told reporters on May 24 at organized team activities at Houston Methodist Training Center. “There’s no substitute for experience though. Every year there are some things Davis will get just based on playing the game for a long period of time, but I think a lot of the good ones, they play good ball early on, too.”
Defensive coordinator may give Mills the benefit of the doubt early on, but they won’t if he is the reason the offense succeeds and Houston wins. At some point in the season, defenses will key in on Mills and his reaction and correction will tell the tale as to how he can grow as a leader of the offense.
Smith has confidence in his young quarterback nevertheless.
“Did I tell you he’s a smart guy that went to Stanford? He picks things up fairly quick and he’ll be okay,” said Smith.
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