Davis Mills prepares each day as if he is still the starting quarterback for the Houston Texans but has spent the first 13 games observing from the sideline as the backup to C.J. Stroud.
However, when the Texans take their first offensive snap at NRG Stadium against the Cleveland Browns Sunday afternoon, Mills will remain on the sideline. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC, the Texans will start veteran quarterback Case Keenum for the second consecutive game in Stroud's absence — who is still in concussion protocol.
Mills wasn't frustrated but was a little surprised that Keenum received the starting job against the Tennessee Titans.
"Obviously, I want my opportunity to go out there and compete," Mills said. "But, winning is everything around here. Case went out there and did his job...We had talks throughout the week. I took it for what it was and snapped back into my next mentality and stayed prepared."
A starting opportunity would allow Mills to showcase his improvements since last season.
Mills led the Texans to a 32-31 victory over the Indianapolis Colts the last time he started. He threw for 298 yards and three touchdowns on Jan. 8. The game also marked Mills' first career game-winning drive, where he connected with former tight end Jordan Akins in the closing seconds at Lucas Oil Stadium.
He believed his performance against the Colts was worth him keeping his starting role another year. But the disappointments of the 2022 season in its entirety led to the Texans drafting Mills' successor three months later.
In 15 games played, Mills threw for 3,118 yards and 17 touchdowns. He finished the season tied with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott for the most interceptions in the league with 15.
The lowest point for Mills came ahead of the Texans' Week 12 contest against the Miami Dolphins. Former coach Lovie Smith benched Mills in favor of former backup quarterback Kyle Allen. But after two subpar performances, Mills regained his job at the start of Week 14.
"With time, comes reps and experience," Mills said. "I think with the number of opponents and experiences I've built the last couple of years, it has made me a better player, and I am looking forward to displaying it."
Mills spent the offseason focusing on himself and improving in the areas that made his sophomore season a regression from his rookie year.
The 2023 preseason was the only time Mills displayed his growth. He played the most snaps out of Keenum and Stroud while leading the Texans to a 2-1 record. He completed nearly 60.0 percent of his passes for 246 yards and one touchdown.
Mills is still confident in his ability to lead Houston to a victory if given the opportunity. His confidence coincides with coach DeMeco Ryans.
"Davis has done a good job with everything that we’ve asked him to do," Ryans said. "He’s done a really good job of just leading in his own right, just seeing him on our scout team, just seeing how he helps out – helps us out with the defensive looks. He’s done a really good job of what he’s been asked to do."
Week 16 against the Browns will be another missed opportunity for Mills — unless Houston's coaching staff changes the game plan before kick-off. However, Mills will continue to prepare as if he were starting while rooting for Keenum's success from afar.
In Stroud's absence, Keenum led the Texans to an overtime victory against the Titans by throwing for 229 yards while going 23 of 36 with one passing touchdown at Nissan Stadium.
"I thought he played well," Mills said. "After not getting any game reps throughout the season, he went in there, executed the offense, and pulled off the win. It's our job to go out there and get the win, and that's what he did."
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