One question the Houston Texans have heading into the 2022 National Football League season is what to do at quarterback. With former quarterback Deshaun Watson dealing with a significant amount of legal issues (22 lawsuits pertaining to inappropriate sexual activity), the Texans seemed to be leaning towards committing to Davis Mills of Atlanta, Georgia.
The Texans might have got off to a slow start last season, as they only won one of their first nine games. However, in their last eight games, there were some significant signs of progression. Houston won three of those games, including upset wins over the Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Chargers. While Tyrod Taylor was the quarterback for Houston in their win over Tennessee, it was Mills against the Chargers.
In the 41-29 Texans win over the Chargers on Boxing Day, Mills completed 21 of 27 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns, along with a quarterback rating of 130.6. Mills was also very effective in starts for Houston in games against the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, and Tennessee Titans, even though the Texans came away with losses. At the end of the season, Mills completed 263 passes in 394 attempts for 2664 yards, 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Houston also needs to be praised for keeping wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who was disgruntled throughout the 2021 NFL season. However, Cooks is an elite receiver and provides Mills with a no.1 option. In 2001, he had 90 catches for 1037 yards and six touchdowns.
The Texans also have a new coach this season who has been to the Super Bowl before. Houston hired 63-year-old Lovie Smith of Gladewater, Texas on February 7. While coaching the Chicago Bears in 2006, the Bears reached the Super Bowl before losing 29-17 to the Indianapolis Colts.
It appears Smith is a fan of Mills. Last month according to Chase Goodbread of nfl.com, Smith stated that “Mills played as well as any NFL rookie quarterback.” Now the Texans are hoping that a sophomore slump is not in the cards.
