Davis Mills Bio
Davis Compton Mills (born October 21, 1998) is an American professional football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). A native of Atlanta, Georgia, he played college football for the Stanford Cardinal before being selected by the Texans in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft. Mills served as Houston’s primary starter during his first two professional seasons and later transitioned into a backup role when the franchise selected C. J. Stroud. He remains a part of the Texans’ quarterback group and continues to contribute to the team.
Early Life and Background
Davis Compton Mills was born on October 21, 1998, in Atlanta, Georgia, and grew up in the metropolitan area. He attended Greater Atlanta Christian School in Norcross, Georgia, where he developed into one of the most highly regarded high school quarterbacks in the country. During his high school career, Mills threw for 6,290 yards and 66 touchdowns, establishing himself as a five-star recruit and the top-ranked quarterback in his class.
His senior season brought national recognition when he was selected to play in the 2017 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, although an injury prevented him from suiting up for the showcase game. Despite that setback, his body of work was strong enough to draw attention from top college programs, and he ultimately committed to Stanford University to continue his football career.
Path to American Football
Mills arrived at Stanford in 2017 and redshirted his freshman year while learning the program’s offensive system behind established starter K. J. Costello. He saw limited action in 2018, appearing in one game as a backup, and continued to develop his mechanics and understanding of the offense during that period.
His path accelerated in 2019, when an injury to Costello opened the door for more responsibility. Mills started six of eight games that season, and against Washington State he set a Stanford single-game record with 504 passing yards. He finished 2019 completing 158 of 241 passes for 1,960 yards, 11 touchdowns, and five interceptions, giving the program confidence in his long-term potential.
Davis Mills Career
Early Career (2017–2020)
Mills’ early college years were a blend of patience and steady growth. After redshirting in 2017 and seeing a small role in 2018, he used the practice periods to refine his footwork, decision-making, and command of the huddle. Coaches praised his preparation and football intelligence, traits that would later help him adjust quickly to the professional game.
His expanded role in 2019 and his shortened 2020 pandemic season, in which he completed 129 of 195 passes for 1,508 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions, demonstrated his consistency and ability to manage an offense. Mills graduated from Stanford in 2020 with a degree in Science, Technology, and Society, completing his academic career while building a strong foundation for the next level.
Houston Texans Debut (2021)
The Houston Texans selected Davis Mills in the third round, 67th overall, of the 2021 NFL draft, and he signed his four-year rookie contract worth $5.2 million on May 26, 2021. With incumbent starter Deshaun Watson ruled inactive, Mills began the year as the second option behind Tyrod Taylor before injuries thrust him into action.
Mills made his NFL debut in Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns after Taylor was hurt, throwing for 102 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in a 31–21 road loss. He earned his first starting nod the following week against the Carolina Panthers, passing for 168 yards and a touchdown. After being moved back to a reserve role when Taylor returned, Mills reclaimed the starting job in Week 13 and led the Texans to a Week 15 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars for his first career win. He finished his rookie season with 2,664 passing yards, a franchise rookie record, along with 16 touchdowns and a 66.8 percent completion rate across 13 games and 11 starts.
Texans Starter (2022)
With Watson traded to the Cleveland Browns and Taylor no longer on the roster, the Texans named Mills the starting quarterback for the 2022 season opener against the Indianapolis Colts, a game he finished with 240 passing yards and two touchdowns in a 20–20 tie. He started 15 games during the year, navigating a challenging stretch that included a five-game losing run before he was briefly benched in favor of Kyle Allen. Mills regained the starting role and closed the season with a memorable comeback in the finale against the Colts, helping the Texans rally from a late deficit for a 32–31 road victory. He finished 2022 with 3,118 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, leading the league in picks that year.
Backup Role and Return (2023–2024)
Following the Texans’ selection of C. J. Stroud in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft, Mills moved into a backup role behind the rookie. He appeared in six games without a start that season, including relief work during a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns after Stroud was sidelined. On September 4, 2024, Mills signed a one-year, $5 million extension with the Texans through 2025, securing his place on the roster.
During the 2024 regular season, Mills saw most of his action in the finale against the Tennessee Titans with Houston’s playoff position already locked in. He completed 12 of 22 passes for 128 yards, helping the Texans to a 23–14 road victory. He closed the year with 212 passing yards in four games and no starts.
Houston Texans Return to Action (2025)
On September 2, 2025, Mills agreed to a one-year, $7 million contract extension with the Texans, keeping him in Houston for another season. His workload increased later in the year when C. J. Stroud suffered a concussion, and Mills was named the starter for the Week 10 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He delivered a dramatic fourth-quarter performance, leading a comeback from a 29–10 deficit with two passing touchdowns and a rushing score to secure a 36–29 win, finishing with 292 passing yards.
He followed that effort with 274 passing yards and a touchdown in a 16–13 road victory over the Tennessee Titans, and then threw for 153 yards and two touchdowns in a 23–19 win against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football. Those performances showed his ability to step in and produce when the offense needed him.
Driving Style and Strengths
Davis Mills operates as a pocket passer with a strong arm, calm pocket presence, and the ability to push the ball down the field with layered throws. He has shown accuracy on intermediate routes and has improved his pre-snap reads since entering the league, traits that allow him to manage tempo and protect the football. His experience working with multiple offensive systems at Stanford and Houston has also helped him adapt quickly when called upon.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Davis Mills’ signature achievements is the Houston Texans franchise record for rookie passing yards, set in 2021 with 2,664 yards. His 16 passing touchdowns and 66.8 percent completion rate that season ranked second among rookie quarterbacks, behind only Mac Jones. Mills also engineered a dramatic Week 18 comeback win over the Indianapolis Colts in 2022 that cost the Texans the first overall pick in the following draft, and he authored a fourth-quarter rally against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2025 that highlighted his late-game composure.
Davis Mills Career Wins
Davis Mills has accumulated regular-season wins as a starter and reliever with the Houston Texans, including his first career victory in Week 15 of the 2021 season against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has also contributed to key wins in spot-start duty in 2024 and 2025, giving him a steady record of team success when called upon.
NFL Regular Season Highlights
Mills’ first NFL win came in his rookie year against the Jaguars, a 30–16 victory in which he threw for 209 yards and two touchdowns. He added an upset win over the Los Angeles Chargers the following week, passing for 254 yards and two scores, and helped seal a memorable 32–31 comeback against the Indianapolis Colts in the 2022 season finale. In 2025, his three consecutive starts produced wins over the Jaguars, Titans, and Bills, including a fourth-quarter comeback over Jacksonville that showcased his poise under pressure.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his work as a starter, Mills has provided quality relief appearances for the Texans, including his late-game surge against the Cleveland Browns in 2023 and his steady play in the 2024 finale against the Tennessee Titans. He also led Stanford to notable performances during the 2019 season, highlighted by his school-record 504-yard passing day against Washington State.
Davis Mills Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Davis Mills married Tori Wisted on February 17, 2024, after the couple met in high school and became engaged in 2023. On January 5, 2026, the couple welcomed their first child, a son named Maximus. Mills has often credited his family for grounding him throughout his football journey, from his time at Greater Atlanta Christian School to his professional career in Houston.
2025 Season Performance
Davis Mills’ 2025 season with the Houston Texans was shaped by his role as the primary backup to C. J. Stroud, a position he earned by signing a one-year, $7 million extension on September 2, 2025. He continued to prepare each week as part of the quarterback room while logging limited snaps during the early portion of the schedule, helping the Texans remain competitive as they pushed toward the postseason.
His most significant stretch came in November, when Stroud was sidelined by a concussion and Mills stepped into the starting lineup for three consecutive games. He led the Texans to comeback wins over the Jacksonville Jaguars, a road victory at the Tennessee Titans, and a Thursday night win over the Buffalo Bills, passing for 719 yards and five touchdowns across those starts while adding a rushing score against Jacksonville. That run gave Houston a strong finishing kick and reinforced Mills’ value as a trusted veteran presence in the quarterback room.
Heading into the postseason, the Texans appear well positioned with Mills ready to support Stroud or step in if needed. His 2025 performance, highlighted by his three-game winning streak and clutch fourth-quarter play, suggests he remains a reliable option for the franchise.
