The Houston Texans are considering trading backup quarterback Davis Mills as the NFL quarterback market intensifies this offseason. Mills, entering the final year of his contract, is reportedly among several backups around the league being evaluated for potential trades, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano.
Graziano highlighted that teams with lesser-known backup quarterbacks, including Chicago’s Bagent, Philadelphia’s Tanner McKee, Tennessee’s Will Levis, Denver’s Jarrett Stidham, and Houston’s Mills, are probing the trade market to assess interest and value.
Evaluating the Possibility of a Trade Involving Mills
Any trade deal involving Davis Mills would need to meet specific criteria that make it beneficial for the Texans’ front office. Mills, who has been with Houston for five years, is a respected figure within the organization. He has a firm grasp of Houston’s offensive system, coaches, and teammates, which adds considerable value as a reliable backup.
Davis Mills showcased his potential in 2025 by leading the Texans to a 3-0 record as a starter. This performance, combined with his affordable contract—$7 million for the 2026 season—makes him an asset the Texans might prefer to retain rather than trade without a worthwhile return.
The Texans could opt to keep Mills as their second-string quarterback throughout 2026 and revisit their options in free agency in 2027, depending on their longer-term plans.
Strategic Considerations Behind a Possible Trade
The Texans might also view trading Mills as a chance to secure valuable assets before his free agency period in 2027. If Houston chooses not to offer Mills a contract extension, dealing him now could help avoid losing him without compensation.
For teams interested in Mills, the challenge will be agreeing on a fair trade value. Industry speculation suggests a draft pick in the fourth or fifth round might be an acceptable starting point for negotiations. Such a deal could persuade Houston’s general manager, Nick Caserio, and his team to finalize a trade.
With several NFL teams still addressing their quarterback situations for the 2026 season, the Texans’ decisions around Mills will be an important storyline as the offseason advances.
Implications for Houston and the Broader Quarterback Market
The growing activity surrounding backup quarterbacks like Davis Mills underscores a unique dynamic in this year’s offseason market, where multiple teams are carefully weighing their options to optimize rosters and draft capital. Houston’s approach toward Mills will reveal how aggressively they plan to manage their quarterback depth chart amid these market conditions.
As free agency and the NFL Draft approach, the Texans’ choices regarding Mills will influence their roster strategy and could have ripple effects within the quarterback market, especially among teams seeking stable backup options.
“Teams that have better-known backups entering the final years of their contracts — such as Bagent in Chicago, Tanner McKee in Philadelphia, Will Levis in Tennessee, Davis Mills in Houston, Jarrett Stidham in Denver, etc. — are seeing if there’s interest and whether they can get trade value out of this offseason’s odd QB market.”
?Dan Graziano, ESPN Analyst
