Davis Mills
Davis Mills is an American football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 21, 1998, in Atlanta, Georgia, Mills attended Greater Atlanta Christian School in Norcross, Georgia, where he earned recognition as a four-star recruit.[1][2] Mills played college football at Stanford University from 2017 to 2020, appearing in 16 games with 12 starts and compiling a 65.5% completion rate for 3,468 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.[3] During his senior year in 2020, he earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors and the Irving S. Zeimer Award as the team's MVP, leading Stanford to a 4-2 record amid the COVID-19-shortened season.[4] Selected by the Houston Texans in the third round (67th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft, Mills quickly became the team's starting quarterback as a rookie, appearing in 13 games with 11 starts and completing 66.8% of his passes for 2,664 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.[5][2] Over his first three NFL seasons (2021–2023), Mills appeared in 34 games (26 starts), completing 573 of 912 passes for 5,955 yards (62.8% completion), 35 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions, while adding 161 rushing yards and two rushing scores.[2] He transitioned to a backup role following the Texans' selection of C.J. Stroud in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, serving as the primary reserve quarterback through the 2024 season.[6] In September 2025, Mills signed a one-year contract extension worth $7 million to remain as Stroud's backup through the 2025 season. As of November 2025, after relieving Stroud for 160 passing yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in Week 9 and starting in Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars (292 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception), Mills is slated to make his second start of the season against the Tennessee Titans with Stroud sidelined by a concussion.[7][8][1]Early life
Family background
Davis Mills was born on October 21, 1998, in Atlanta, Georgia, to parents Steve and Dawn Mills.[9] As the youngest of three siblings, he grew up alongside his two older sisters, Erin and Alison (Ali), in a family with a strong athletic tradition; both sisters pursued collegiate tennis, with Erin playing at Tusculum University and Ali at the University of South Carolina and later the University of Houston.[4] The Mills family emphasized resilience and support for their children's pursuits, with Steve and Dawn fostering an environment that encouraged Davis's early interest in sports despite his sisters' focus on tennis.[10] From a young age, Mills was immersed in football through local youth leagues in the Atlanta area, where he began developing his skills under the guidance of his parents and early coaches. Dawn Mills served as a consistent pillar of emotional support, attending games and providing encouragement throughout his formative years.[9] By sixth grade, the family invested in specialized training, sending him to Football University (FBU) camps, elite youth programs that helped him refine quarterback fundamentals and caught the attention of notable coaches like Tony Ballard.[11] This early exposure, combined with private coaching sessions years before high school, laid the groundwork for his passion for the sport, with his family actively facilitating travel and resources to nurture his talent.[12] Mills's pre-high school achievements included standout performances at FBU camps, where his poise and arm strength stood out among peers, earning him recognition in youth football circles. The family's holistic approach to athletics—balancing competition with personal growth—shaped his disciplined mindset, as his parents often reminded him of life's challenges to build mental toughness.[11][10] This supportive dynamic from his Atlanta upbringing transitioned seamlessly into his high school athletic endeavors.High school career
Davis Mills attended Greater Atlanta Christian School in Norcross, Georgia, where he played football from 2013 to 2017.[4] As the starting quarterback for the Spartans under head coach Tim Hardy, Mills developed into a highly accurate pocket passer known for his arm strength and decision-making.[13] Over his four varsity seasons, Mills amassed 6,290 passing yards and 66 touchdowns, with a career completion percentage around 65% and notably few interceptions, including just one as a junior. In his junior year of 2015, he threw for 2,821 yards and 25 touchdowns while leading the team to the state Elite Eight.[4] As a senior in 2016, he set a school record with 34 touchdown passes en route to guiding Greater Atlanta Christian to the Class AAA state championship game, where the Spartans finished as runners-up after a 30-19 loss to Cedar Grove.[14] The following season in 2017, without Mills, the team advanced to the Final Four, underscoring the program's sustained success during his tenure.[15] Mills' high school performance drew widespread attention from college recruiters, earning him five-star status from outlets like Scout and Rivals, and four stars from ESPN and 247Sports as the nation's top pro-style quarterback prospect.[4] He committed to Stanford in March 2016, choosing the Cardinal over offers from programs including Georgia, Michigan, and Arizona State.[16] That summer, Mills participated in the prestigious Elite 11 Finals, where he showcased his skills among the country's elite quarterbacks and solidified his status as a consensus top-100 national recruit.[17]College career
Stanford University
Mills arrived at Stanford University as a highly rated quarterback recruit from Greater Atlanta Christian School in Norcross, Georgia, where he had chosen the Cardinal over offers from programs like Alabama and Georgia. As a true freshman in 2017, Mills redshirted the season to preserve a year of eligibility, focusing on development behind the depth chart.[4] In 2018, as a redshirt freshman, he served as the primary backup to starting quarterback K.J. Costello, appearing in just one game without recording any statistics.[4][3] Mills earned his first significant playing time in 2019 as a redshirt sophomore, stepping in after an injury to Costello and starting six of the eight games he appeared in. He completed 158 of 241 passes for 1,960 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions, helping lead Stanford to a 4-8 overall record.[4][3] His performance included a school-record 504 passing yards in a single game against Washington State.[4] In the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, as a redshirt junior, Mills took over as the full-time starter for all five games he appeared in, missing the season opener against Oregon due to a false-positive COVID-19 test result; he completed 129 of 195 passes for 1,508 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions at a 66.2% completion rate.[4][3][18] Stanford finished 4-2, and Mills earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors from the coaches, the Irving S. Zeimer Award as team MVP, and selection to the Pac-12 All-Academic first team for his performance in management science and engineering coursework.[4][19] Following the 2020 season, Mills announced his decision to forgo his remaining eligibility and declare for the 2021 NFL Draft.[20] He participated in Stanford's pro day, where he measured 6 feet 4 inches tall and 225 pounds, with a 40-yard dash time of 4.82 seconds.[2][21][22]College statistics
Davis Mills concluded his collegiate career at Stanford with 287 completions on 438 attempts for 3,468 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, achieving a 65.5% completion rate and a 141.9 passer rating over 14 games (11 starts).[4][3] His rushing contributions were minimal but effective, totaling 63 carries for 86 yards and 3 touchdowns.[3] These figures reflect his development as a pocket passer in a program known for balanced offenses, where he demonstrated strong accuracy and decision-making under pressure.| Year | Games | Comp | Att | Comp% | Yards | TD | INT | Rating | Car | Rush Yds | Rush TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| 2019 | 8 | 158 | 241 | 65.6 | 1,960 | 11 | 5 | 144.8 | 32 | 44 | 0 |
| 2020 | 5 | 129 | 195 | 66.2 | 1,508 | 7 | 3 | 139.9 | 30 | 37 | 3 |
| Career | 14 | 287 | 438 | 65.5 | 3,468 | 18 | 8 | 141.9 | 63 | 86 | 3 |
Professional career
2021 season
The Houston Texans selected quarterback Davis Mills in the third round (67th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft.[23] He signed a four-year rookie contract worth approximately $5.22 million, including a signing bonus of $1.26 million. Mills joined a quarterback room led by veteran Tyrod Taylor, initially serving as the backup while adapting to the professional level following his standout college career at Stanford.[24] Mills entered his first NFL action in Week 2, relieving an injured Taylor during a loss to the Cleveland Browns. Taylor's hamstring injury sidelined him, prompting Mills to make his first start in Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers, where he completed 18 of 30 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown in a 24-9 defeat.[25] He started the next six games under head coach David Culley and defensive coordinator Lovie Smith, showing flashes of potential amid a rebuilding Texans roster, including a career-highlight performance in Week 5 versus the New England Patriots, where he threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns despite a 25-22 loss.[26] Taylor returned from injury in Week 10 and reclaimed the starting role, leading to a mid-season benching for Mills after Week 12. However, Taylor's wrist injury in Week 14 against the Indianapolis Colts prompted the team to name Mills the starter for the remainder of the season on December 10.[27] Mills responded with steady play, culminating in his first NFL victory in Week 16—a 41-29 upset over the Los Angeles Chargers—where he went 21 of 28 for 254 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.[28] Over 13 games (11 starts), he completed 263 of 394 passes (66.8 percent) for 2,664 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, earning an 88.8 passer rating.[29] These figures set Houston Texans rookie records for passing yards, completions, and attempts, surpassing marks previously held by David Carr.[5] Despite the statistical progress, Mills faced challenges adjusting to sophisticated NFL defenses, including 31 sacks taken and occasional decision-making errors that contributed to the team's 4-13 record.[2]2022 season
In his second NFL season, Davis Mills served as the starting quarterback for the Houston Texans, appearing in 15 games and starting all of them despite a mid-season benching. The team finished with a 3–13–1 record under head coach Lovie Smith, who was fired at the end of the year and replaced by DeMeco Ryans ahead of the 2023 season. Mills completed 292 of 479 passes for 3,118 yards, with 17 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, achieving a passer rating of 78.8; he was also sacked 31 times, reflecting challenges with the offensive line that included injuries to key players like center Justin Britt and multiple rotations among starters.[2][29][30] Mills showed flashes of potential in several outings, including two 300-yard performances: 302 yards and two touchdowns with one interception in a 38–20 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on October 23, and a season-high 319 yards with one touchdown and one interception in a 24–16 loss to the New York Giants on November 13. He also recorded his first NFL rushing touchdown on a 1-yard run during a 20–13 win over the Chicago Bears on September 25, adding to his mobility with 32 carries for 108 yards and two scores overall. However, the season included notable struggles, such as three interceptions in a 30–19 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on October 30 and two more in a 23–19 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on December 11, contributing to criticism of his decision-making under pressure. Following a poor performance with three interceptions in a 22–19 loss to the Washington Commanders on November 20, Mills was benched for the next two games in favor of Kyle Allen, amid reports of internal discussions about the team's quarterback future. He returned to the starting role for the final five games, committing to improvements in preparation and footwork despite ongoing scrutiny, and participated in all four preseason contests to build chemistry with new receivers. These experiences highlighted Mills' resilience as the Texans transitioned toward a rebuild.[32][33]2023 season
In 2023, Davis Mills transitioned to a backup role behind rookie first-round pick C.J. Stroud for the Houston Texans after competing with him for the starting quarterback position during training camp, where the team split first-team repetitions early on before naming Stroud the starter. Mills appeared in six regular-season games, all in relief of Stroud, completing 18 of 39 passes for 173 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions for a passer rating of 76.1, while adding nine rushing yards on two carries.[34][35][2] Mills' limited action included brief relief stints in matchups such as the Week 16 loss to the Cleveland Browns, where he completed 15 of 32 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns in garbage time after starter Case Keenum was pulled, and shorter appearances against the New York Jets and Tennessee Titans. His role emphasized mentorship and support for Stroud's rapid development, contributing to the Texans' offensive resurgence under new head coach DeMeco Ryans and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. Off the field, Mills engaged in team leadership activities and maintained professionalism amid the quarterback competition, helping foster a positive locker room environment during the team's turnaround from a 0-3 start to a 10-7 finish.[36][37] The Texans clinched their first AFC South division title since 2019 and advanced to the playoffs, where Mills made a brief appearance in the Wild Card victory over the Browns, completing his lone pass attempt for six yards late in the 45-14 win; he did not play in the subsequent Divisional Round loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Throughout the season, Mills focused on preparation and team contributions, solidifying his position as a reliable reserve amid Stroud's emergence as a franchise cornerstone.[38]2024 season
Following his benching during the 2023 season, Davis Mills entered 2024 solidified as the primary backup quarterback to C.J. Stroud for the Houston Texans. On September 4, 2024, Mills signed a one-year contract extension worth $5 million, which guaranteed his spot on the roster through the 2025 season.[39][40] Mills appeared in four games during the regular season without recording a start, completing 20 of 36 passes for 212 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions, and a passer rating of 72.9.[29] His most notable action came in relief during Week 18 against the Tennessee Titans, where he went 12-for-22 for 128 yards while adding 11 rushing yards on three carries in a 23-14 victory that clinched the Texans' playoff berth. The other appearances were limited mop-up duties in blowout situations, totaling minimal snaps across the season. Under head coach DeMeco Ryans, the Texans finished the 2024 regular season with a 10-7 record, winning the AFC South division and securing a playoff spot led by Stroud's performance.[41] Mills contributed primarily through scout-team work, simulating opposing offenses in practice and preparing as the emergency option behind Stroud and third-stringer Case Keenum. The team advanced to the playoffs, defeating the Los Angeles Chargers 32-12 in the Wild Card round before falling 23-14 to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional round, though Mills did not see action in either postseason game.[41] Prior to the season, Mills participated in the Texans' organized team activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamp held in May and June 2024, where he emphasized refining his decision-making under pressure during non-contact drills and simulated scenarios.[42] These sessions allowed him to build chemistry with the second-unit offense and adapt to new coordinator Bobby Slowik's scheme, focusing on quicker reads and ball security in controlled practice environments.2025 season
Davis Mills entered the 2025 NFL season as the backup quarterback to C.J. Stroud for the Houston Texans, secured by a one-year contract extension signed in September 2024 that runs through the 2025 campaign and is valued at $5 million. On September 2, 2025, Mills signed another one-year contract extension worth $7 million, fully guaranteed, keeping him with the team through the 2026 season.[43][44] Through Week 10 (as of November 15, 2025), Mills had appeared in three games with one start, completing 46 of 79 passes for 452 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, yielding a passer rating of 77.6.[2] His action underscored his role as a reliable veteran presence, emphasizing preparation and readiness amid the team's divisional contention in the AFC South.[29] In Week 1, Mills entered late in a contest against the Indianapolis Colts, going 2-for-4 for 23 yards with no scores as the Texans secured a victory.[45] He saw no further regular-season snaps until Week 9 on November 2, when Stroud suffered a concussion early in the second quarter during a home matchup against the Denver Broncos.[46] Mills then took over, completing 17 of 30 passes for 137 yards while adding two rushes for seven yards, but the Texans managed no offensive touchdowns in an 18-15 loss sealed by a game-winning field goal.[47] Head coach DeMeco Ryans praised Mills' poise and command of the offense in the relief outing, noting his ability to avoid turnovers despite the pressure.[48] With Stroud entering the concussion protocol and ruled out for Week 10, Mills made his first start of the season against the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 10, completing 27 of 45 passes for 292 yards and two touchdowns with one interception in a 36-29 victory. He also added 20 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. Stroud remained sidelined and was ruled out for Week 11 against the Tennessee Titans on November 16, positioning Mills to start his second consecutive game. This development highlights Mills' ongoing value, focused on supporting the Texans' efforts to climb the AFC South standings where they sit at 4-5 after the Week 10 victory.[8][49][50]NFL career statistics
Regular season
Davis Mills appeared in 41 regular season games with 27 starts across his first five NFL seasons from 2021 to 2025, compiling a career completion percentage of 62.2 on 6,619 passing yards, 37 touchdowns, and 26 interceptions for a passer rating of 82.2.[2] His passing volume peaked in 2022 with 3,118 yards over 15 starts, but starts declined thereafter as he shifted to backup duties, though his completion rate has stabilized near 62% in limited action.[29] As the Texans' primary starter during their 2021 and 2022 rebuilding seasons, Mills set the franchise record for rookie passing yards (2,664) and contributed to the team's all-time passing totals by ranking among the top active quarterbacks in franchise history for attempts and completions during his tenure.[51]Career Totals
Passing Statistics| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 41 |
| Starts | 27 |
| Completions | 639 |
| Attempts | 1,027 |
| Completion % | 62.2 |
| Yards | 6,619 |
| Touchdowns | 37 |
| Interceptions | 26 |
| Passer Rating | 82.2 |
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Carries | 63 |
| Yards | 202 |
| Yards per Carry | 3.2 |
| Touchdowns | 3 |
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Fumbles | 14 |
| Fumbles Lost | 8 |
| Year | Team | Games (Starts) | Completions | Attempts | Completion % | Yards | TDs | INTs | Sacks | QBR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | HOU | 13 (11) | 263 | 394 | 66.8 | 2,664 | 16 | 10 | 31 | 41.2 |
| 2022 | HOU | 15 (15) | 292 | 479 | 61.0 | 3,118 | 17 | 15 | 31 | 35.0 |
| 2023 | HOU | 6 (0) | 18 | 39 | 46.2 | 173 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 49.5 |
| 2024 | HOU | 4 (0) | 20 | 36 | 55.6 | 212 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 64.8 |
| 2025 | HOU | 3 (1) | 46 | 79 | 58.2 | 452 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 56.1 |
| Career | 41 (27) | 639 | 1,027 | 62.2 | 6,619 | 37 | 26 | 70 | - |
| Year | Team | Games (Starts) | Carries | Yards | Yards per Carry | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | HOU | 13 (11) | 18 | 44 | 2.4 | 0 |
| 2022 | HOU | 15 (15) | 32 | 108 | 3.4 | 2 |
| 2023 | HOU | 6 (0) | 2 | 9 | 4.5 | 0 |
| 2024 | HOU | 4 (0) | 3 | 11 | 3.7 | 0 |
| 2025 | HOU | 3 (1) | 8 | 30 | 3.8 | 1 |
| Career | 41 (27) | 63 | 202 | 3.2 | 3 |