Texans HC Lovie Smith offers high praise for QB Davis Mills

Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Texans HC Lovie Smith: Davis Mills 'played about as well as any rookie quarterback this season'

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 2/9/22

The Houston Texans recently promoted Lovie Smith to be their new head coach, and on Wednesday morning, the former defensive coordinator discussed the team's unique quarterback situation.

Prior to last offseason, there was no discussion over who was the future of the franchise, as three-time Pro Bowl signal-caller Deshaun Watson had that title to himself. Following a scandal-filled summer surrounding Watson and the over 20 sexual harassment allegations against him though, the 26-year-old was made inactive for every game during Houston's 2021 campaign.

Smith, for one, expressed confidence in who the Texans already have on the roster, though.

.@HoustonTexans HC Lovie Smith on @gmfb @nflnetwork on the quarterback situation: "In time things work themselves out. Davis Mills did some good things. He played about as well as any rookie quarterback this season."
— Will Selva (@WillSelvaTV) February 9, 2022

Per Stat Muse, Mills ranked second among rookie quarterbacks during the 2021 season with 16 touchdown passes -- trailing only Mac Jones' 22 -- and finished third in passing yards at 2,664. The only two rookie players under center to play more games than Mills (who appeared in 13 contests) were Jones of the New England Patriots and Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who both played in all 17 contests.

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