Texans' Davis Mills not conceding starting job to C.J. Stroud

Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills isn't surrendering the starting gig to No. 2 overall draft pick C.J. Stroud without a fight this summer. 

"I’m still competing for that starting job," a somewhat defiant Mills told reporters on Tuesday, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "Since I’ve been drafted in the NFL, I’ve been in competition. I don’t think anything’s going to change. But it’s been great getting to know C.J. so far. He’s an extremely hard worker. And it’ll be good to see how we go out there and compete every day and make each other better." 

Mills, a 2021 third-round draft pick, went 3-10-1 as the starter last season for a Houston team that traded signal-caller Deshaun Watson to the Cleveland Browns in March 2022. Then-Texans head coach Lovie Smith repeatedly made it known he was a fan of Mills, but Houston fired Smith this winter and replaced him with former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans. 

According to ESPN stats, Mills finished the 2022 regular season ranked 29th out of 31 qualified players with a 33.1 adjusted QBR. He tossed 17 touchdown passes but finished tied with Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys for the most interceptions in the league (15). 

Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio are banking on Stroud following in Watson's footsteps as it pertains to on-the-field accomplishments. Meanwhile, Mills suggested he has a chip on his shoulder after Houston essentially drafted his replacement in Stroud. 

"Obviously, [Stroud is] kind of another stress factor kind of pushing me to be my best," Mills admitted. "But I think a lot of that falls back on me. I’ve got to be the one putting in the work and waking up every day with that same motivation. I think if I keep that with me, everything’s going to work itself out." 

NBC Sports' Peter King listed Houston at 30th in his NFL power rankings published on May 8. Assuming King is right with such a forecast, the rebuilding Texans likely won't have much of a reason to play either Mills or veteran Case Keenum over Stroud this fall unless Stroud looks lost against defenses during preseason action.