NFL training camp tea leaves: Which sophomore QB will take the biggest leap?
USA TODAY Sports’ Andy Nesbitt and Mike Jones predict which second-year quarterback will break out during the 2022 NFL season.
USA TODAY
Not much is expected of the Houston Texans this season, but don’t tell that to quarterback Davis Mills.
Mills recently said the Texans were ready to “shock the world” this season. When asked about his recent comments after the Texans’ 24-20 preseason win over the Los Angeles Rams, Mills said the Texans are getting overlooked.
“I don’t think the media nationally has given the Houston Texans a lot of attention. I think we know better than anyone else in the building,” Mills said. “Our guys have full confidence in what we’re capable of and we’re excited to get rolling with this season.”
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Many of Mills’ teammates liked the quarterback’s “shock the world” comment.
“We are going to follow our quarterback. He’s our leader,” Texans running back Marlon Mack told USA TODAY Sports. “We just got to go out there put our head down and go to work.”
Mills did admit the Texans have to win more games to gain national respect and attention. The Texans haven’t had a winning record since 2019. The franchise is coming off a four-win season in which they didn’t have any Pro Bowlers.
Can the Texans actually shock the world?
If Houston finishes the season above .500, it’ll be a surprise. Mills’ performance behind center will determine a lot.
Mills was a highly touted 5-star high school quarterback and then broke records at Stanford before the Texans selected him in the third round of 2021 NFL draft. Many scouts believe Mills would’ve been selected higher if he decided to stay in school for another year.
Mills’ teammates compliment the way he responds to adversity. He never gets too high or too low.
“Somethings don’t go right or somethings go good, he just continues to show up and bounce back after every job. He doesn’t get down on himself,” Mack told USA TODAY Sports. “That’s a great thing to see. He just got to keep going and keep being focused.”
The second-year quarterback started 11 games as a rookie and went 2-9 in those contests. He’s 263-of-394 passing for 2,664 yards with 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in his career. His 2,664 passing yards were a franchise rookie record.
Although Mills’ first-year numbers were decent, there’s some uncertainty about his long-term future with the Texans. Mills is under contract with Houston through the 2024 season, but if Mills doesn’t show he’s the right quarterback this season, the Texans might be inclined to select a QB in the 2023 draft, when Alabama’s Bryce Young and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud could be available. The Texans currently have 11 picks in the 2023 draft after the Deshaun Watson trade, including two in the first round.
The positive news for Mills is the Texans are committed to him right now.
“He’s our guy. Every man in the locker room knows that, coaching staff, we believe in him, and he will get better and better,” Texans coach Lovie Smith said.
Mills might have to “shock the world” to remain the starting QB in Houston.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on Twitter @TheTylerDragon.
