DeMeco Ryans keeping status of Texans QB battle unknown

Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills. Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

Texans HC DeMeco Ryans keeping status of QB battle close to the vest

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 7/27/23

First-year Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans likely has an inkling of who his team’s Week 1 starting quarterback will be, but don’t expect him to tip his hand anytime soon.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Ryans said he will name the winner of the quarterback competition between rookie No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud and incumbent Davis Mills when the time is right.

"When that time comes, it's going to be the best guy that I feel like is going to lead our team in a proper way," Ryans said. “And that ultimately gives us the best opportunity to be as successful as we can be.”

C.J. Stroud deep to Nico Collins. This is the play.

If Houston is going to take a big leap forward offensively, these two creating a real vertical threat is a must have.

Hopefully they can have a big year together #WeAreTexans pic.twitter.com/7YW53qj9XJ
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) July 26, 2023

C.J. Stroud and Dameon Pierce getting some work together. #Texans pic.twitter.com/1hTKdOZ7LW
— Deepi Sidhu (@DeepSlant) July 26, 2023

QB C.J. Stroud delivers a nice throw to WR John Metchie at practice. #WeAreTexans #Texans #TrainingCamp pic.twitter.com/NWbD21ibP2
— JOSE ALVARES (@Alvaresjose11) July 27, 2023

Per ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the Texans coaching staff wants to see how Stroud, who signed a four-year, $36.3M fully guaranteed rookie contract on Monday, handles himself in high-pressure situations when the pocket breaks down before officially naming him the starter.

Despite receiving trade interest earlier in the offseason, the Texans have given no inclination that they are willing to part ways with Mills, regardless of where he is on the depth chart.

The 24-year-old former third-round pick threw for 3,118 yards, 17 touchdowns and an NFL-leading 15 interceptions last season, and he has just five wins in 25 outings as Houston’s starter.

Though he took the bulk of the first-team reps on Day 1 of camp, reports indicate that Mills was out of sync, missing his open receivers and failing to find a rhythm. Holding off Stroud was proving to be challenging enough, and Mills isn’t making things easier on himself by leaving the door open for Stroud to just walk through.

#Texans safety Jimmie Ward broke on the ball and nearly intercepted a Davis Mills throw. Ward's range and instincts are impressive and he knows this system well from his time with DeMeco Ryans with 49ers @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) July 27, 2023

We have our first interception of #Texans camp.

Davis Mills was picked off by Steven Nelson.

That Texans secondary is going to be reallllllllyyyyy good this year.
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) July 27, 2023

More must-reads: