The Houston Texans have affirmed their commitment to quarterback C.J. Stroud for the 2026 season despite his playoff struggles against the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots. At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Texans general manager Nick Caserio outright dismissed rumors of trading Stroud, firmly declaring him as the team’s starting quarterback moving forward.
It’s moronic. We’re not trading the guy. He’s our quarterback. He’s gonna be playing quarterback for the Houston Texans in 2026. Anything beyond that, that’s your world. You guys can speculate on that. But we’re not trading C.J. Stroud,
Caserio told reporters.
While Caserio rejected any talk of dealing Stroud, he did not exclude the possibility of trading backup quarterback Davis Mills, a fifth-year player generating interest from teams seeking reliable depth at the position.
Interest Grows Around Davis Mills as Potential Backup for Vikings
Reports from ESPN’s Dan Graziano indicate the Minnesota Vikings are exploring options to secure dependable quarterback insurance behind their former first-round pick, J.J. McCarthy. Among those considered for this role, Davis Mills emerged as a noteworthy candidate who could provide the Vikings with a veteran presence and perhaps yield Houston a draft asset in return.
It’s also possible that the Vikings look into one of the potentially available unproven backup QBs who could be available via trade, such as Tanner McKee, Davis Mills or even Anthony Richardson Sr.,
Graziano wrote.
But while such a move might help them feel better about the depth of their QB room, it likely wouldn’t help them accomplish their goal with McCarthy — either get him back on track or at least buy themselves another year to evaluate his long-term viability.
Among the candidates, Mills holds the most starting experience compared to Philadelphia Eagles’ Tanner McKee and Indianapolis Colts’ Anthony Richardson. Given McCarthy’s difficulties throughout his initial season as Minnesota’s starter, the Vikings aim to avoid repeating the 2025 mistake of lacking a credible backup behind the young signal-caller.
Davis Mills’ prior performance during C.J. Stroud’s injury absence demonstrated his ability to lead effectively. In three starts, he achieved a perfect 3-0 record, completing 57.2% of his passes for 915 yards and posting a 5:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio, signaling a stabilizing presence the Vikings might urgently require if McCarthy struggles again.
Evaluating the Value and Potential Return for Davis Mills
The Texans recognize the value Mills brings as a proven backup who has demonstrated the capacity to win games when asked to start. Houston would not part with him without securing appropriate compensation and ensuring a capable replacement is available in the roster.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Jared Koch, Mills could be traded for an early Day 3 pick, likely a fourth or fifth-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. Such a pick would be meaningful for the Texans as they continue to shape their roster and seek new talent to nurture as potential backup quarterbacks.
The Texans’ decision to trade Mills depends on receiving the right value, considering how critical a dependable backup quarterback is for a team aiming to contend in today’s NFL. Making a careful evaluation ensures Houston does not weaken its quarterback depth while potentially gaining assets to improve the team.
