The Houston Texans are heading into a pivotal offseason in 2026, and while the spotlight will be on locking in key players with big-money extensions, there’s another storyline quietly gaining traction - the future of backup quarterback Davis Mills.
Now, Mills isn’t just any clipboard holder. He’s one of the most experienced and dependable backup quarterbacks in the league, and his value goes beyond the stat sheet.
In 2025, he was called upon to start three games - and he delivered. Houston went 3-0 in those starts, with Mills tossing five touchdowns to just one interception.
He played clean, efficient football and showed he can still push the ball downfield when needed. That kind of production from a backup isn’t just rare - it’s coveted.
That’s why teams in need of quarterback help should be keeping a close eye on Houston’s QB room. The Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, and Arizona Cardinals all make sense as potential trade partners. Each of those teams could be in the market for a stabilizing presence under center, especially in a year when the incoming quarterback draft class isn’t exactly overflowing with surefire talent.
Minnesota, for example, is looking to create competition for J.J. McCarthy.
Pittsburgh is hoping for a healthy return from Aaron Rodgers, but that’s far from guaranteed. The Jets and Dolphins are both in win-now mode but have questions at quarterback.
And the Cardinals? They could be in the early stages of a reset.
In all of these situations, Mills could step in as a bridge starter - a steady hand who can manage the offense and keep a team competitive.
From Houston’s perspective, moving Mills would be a calculated risk. On one hand, trading him could free up approximately $6.4 million in cap space for 2026 and potentially bring back a couple of mid-round draft picks - valuable currency for a team looking to patch up weak spots and build depth.
On the other hand, Mills has proven he’s a reliable insurance policy behind C.J. Stroud.
Stroud’s late-season performance in 2025 raised some eyebrows. While the Texans haven’t shown any signs of wavering in their commitment to their young quarterback, having a dependable backup like Mills in the building offers peace of mind - especially if Stroud hits a rough patch or deals with injuries.
So the question becomes: is the potential return worth the risk? If the Texans believe in Stroud’s trajectory and feel confident in their ability to find a cheaper backup option, then flipping Mills for draft capital makes sense. But if there's even a hint of uncertainty about the starting quarterback spot, holding onto Mills might be the safer play.
Either way, Houston holds the cards. Mills has shown he can start and win in this league, and that makes him a valuable asset - whether he's under center in Houston or elsewhere.