QB Davis Mills Embracing Competition vs. C.J. Stroud

 Third-year quarterback Davis Mills is in an interesting position in 2023. 

Three days into training camp, the Houston Texans have yet to announce a starting quarterback. But based on which player has had the most first-team reps, rookie C.J. Stroud seems to have the edge.

Mills has expressed his desire to retain his starting job since OTA practices in May. It's a complete 180 from his experience in 2022 when the Texans named Mills the starter after trading Deshaun Watson to the Cleveland Browns.

But instead of folding, Mills has embraced the competition against Stroud and feels each practice is a chance to prove why he should remain Houston's starter.

"Every single day, you’re coming in and putting your best foot forward and being the best player you can be, making yourself better and making everybody in your room better," Mills said. "We have competitions at all 22 positions. Offense, defense, and even from now on to special teams."

The competition against Stroud isn't the only difference for Mills in 2023. Coach DeMeco Ryans did not retain Pep Hamilton as the Texans' offensive coordinator.

Ryans hired Bobby Slowik, who served as the San Francisco 49ers' offensive passing game coordinator last season, which forced Mills to learn a new system for the third year in his young career. 

During Mills' rookie season, Tim Kelly served as the Texans' offensive coordinator under former coach David Culley.

The lack of consistency could hinder a young player's development. But Mills said learning a new offensive system for the third consecutive year has not been challenging. 

Working with Slowik has been exciting for Mills, citing that the Texans' new offense isn't as demanding on the quarterback. 

"For instance, my rookie year, I was responsible for coming up to the line, making every single Mike point, run and pass game," Mills said. "Any adjustments, any audibles, and this year we’re trying to kind of take as much of that mental space off the quarterback at the line so we can just go out there and play fast. 

"Obviously, get us out of terrible situations, but really using that post-snap time to just react and play ball."

Mills said his top priority this off-season was development. He is optimistic about the franchise's future and his fate as the Texans' starter under center come Week 1. 

Mills said it was a learning experience each week. And he is hoping to use the lessons of last season and his developments to help the Texans to their best season since 2019, which marked their last post-season appearance.

"Bringing the full team back together after the summer break, it’s exciting to kind of get back and do what you love doing," Mills said. "We’re back here to put in the work and try to build the best team we can move into the season."