The Houston Texans were going to invest the 2022 season in Davis Mills, which meant the second-year quarterback had to invest in himself.
The former 2021 third-rounder from Stanford compiled a 2-9 record, but had a promising 2-3 finish to the season. In the Texans’ final five games, Mills went had a 9-2 touchdown to interception ratio with a 102.4 passer rating.
“I think I felt the progression at the end of last year and then really taken it this offseason, the momentum, and stacking on it has allowed me to come out here and start playing really fast at the start of training camp and throughout,” Mills told reporters after the third day of training camp Monday at Houston Methodist Training Center. “So, I’m just excited to keep progressing.”
In order to ensure that Mills had a good grasp of offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton’s offense, and that he can make every throw that is asked, the 6-4, 225-pound signal caller used data to ascertain where he needed to focus his improvement.
“Saw the throw chart from across the field and saw the different percentages and I had a couple boxes where I needed to work on,” said Mills. “So, I focused on those type of throws just making sure my feet, my body were in line to make all of those throws. So, the biggest thing is just coming out and being ahead of schedule in the playbook so you can come out and play fast.”
Part of the Texans’ problems in 2021 were related entirely to quarterback. Houston went with former Pro Bowler Tyrod Taylor as the starter, but he was hurt in Week 2, forcing Mills into the lineup and take his lumps as the league welcomed a rookie to pro football. With the Texans going all-in on Mills, it should provide more continuity under center and a better evaluation of the position long-term.
