NFL executive shares stunning take about Texans' C.J. Stroud, Davis Mills

Throughout the ongoing NFL offseason, Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio, head coach DeMeco Ryans and owner Cal McNair have all spoken highly of starting quarterback C.J. Stroud after Stroud endured a couple of rough playoff outings this past January. 

Meanwhile, Texans backup Davis Mills went 3-0 while serving as the Texans' temporary QB1 when Stroud was sidelined due to a concussion this past season. During a recent chat with Mike Sando of The Athletic, one unnamed NFL executive shared a surprising take regarding Stroud and Mills. 

Do some NFL people think Davis Mills is as good as C.J. Stroud?

According to Sando, the executive "said he liked Mills as much as he liked Stroud, whom Caserio and ownership have backed this offseason." 

There's no indication that people within the Texans feel the same way and that there's any quarterback controversy in Houston this spring. While Mills completed 69-of-116 (59.5%) passes for 719 yards with five touchdowns and an interception over his three wins, Stroud ultimately returned to the lineup and is comfortably atop the depth chart. 

That said, neither Caserio nor McNair said during the NFL's annual meetings this week that the Texans will make a financial commitment to Stroud other than picking up the fifth-year option for 2027 attached to the signal-caller's rookie contract. Thus, some understandably believe that Stroud could be playing for his Texans career next season. 

How an executive believes Texans will handle C.J. Stroud's status

This past winter, one unnamed general manager said he felt the Texans could have beaten the New England Patriots in the divisional round of the playoffs had Houston made the switch from Stroud to Mills at halftime of the game. Stroud threw four interceptions in the first half of that contest. 

"I think Caserio is going to let it go year to year," a different executive predicted about how the Texans will handle Stroud's status. "He very well may be inclined to draft another guy. It could be another year of Davis Mills, and then Caserio drafts another quarterback." 

In short, it sounds like people around the NFL doubt that the Texans will sign Stroud to a meaningful extension before the 2026 season gets underway.