No. 2 Pick C.J. Stroud Embracing QB Battle with Davis Mills in Houston
By DJ Bien-Aime, ESPN
Aug 1, 2023, 06:00 AM ET
HOUSTON — While No. 1 overall draft pick Bryce Young has already been named the Carolina Panthers’ starting quarterback, the Houston Texans are taking things a bit slower with No. 2 pick C.J. Stroud.
The Panthers named Young the starter at the beginning of training camp last week, but Stroud is currently battling with Davis Mills for the starting role.
Stroud, however, isn’t comparing his circumstances to Young’s and isn’t focused on the competition.
“That’s my brother, man. I’m happy for him, but his situation is his situation, and mine is mine,” Stroud said. “I know that I gotta work on on my end and do whatever I have to do to make this team better. It’s not about the starter, who’s not the starter. It’s about getting better for Week 1 against Baltimore. Right now, we are building as a team. It’s not just falling individuals.”
Mills and Stroud have yet to separate in the battle through the first five practices. Mills has thrown two interceptions during team periods, while Stroud has had rookie moments of indecisiveness, which leads to him holding the ball too long and also throwing interceptions of his own — including a pick-six Monday by last year’s top pick, Derek Stingley Jr. But both have had junctures where they’ve pushed the ball down the field for big plays.
Coach DeMeco Ryans has Stroud and Mills splitting first-team reps.
“With C.J., I’ve seen just from the command of the huddle started with all the college players,” Ryans said. “Now, a lot of it is everybody’s looking to the sideline, and they see a signal or picture, and that’s their play. But here, we’re asking them to operate from a huddle, which is new, get in and make play calls, which play calls can be long and lengthy sometimes. There’s a lot of different terminology you have to learn. Seeing him grow in that area has been really good.”
Mills, a former third-round pick in 2021, felt good about his performance during the first week of camp but doesn’t allow his mind to focus on the battle.
“It’s been good,” Mills said. “I mean, I don’t think if you’re going out there thinking you’re in a competition every single day, that’s going to cloud some of your headspace. So my biggest focus is just going out there and doing the best I can do to show the coaches what I can do and go out there and perform.”
The Texans also signed Case Keenum this offseason to bring a veteran presence to the quarterbacks room. Keenum started his career with the Texans in 2013 and has played for several teams since, appearing in two games for the Buffalo Bills last season. Like Mills, all the QBs seem to be focused on improvement over a competition to start.
“I don’t want anything given to me. I want to earn everything,” Stroud said. “Davis is a great quarterback, and so is Case. And honestly, we’re not focused on that. We’re just focused on getting better and better and better because at the end of the day, if you focus on trying to do something extra or do this here and there, that’s when you start confusing yourself and doing what’s out of the playbook and making mistakes.
Regardless of where Stroud stands in the quarterback competition, Ryans has been thrilled by his rookie commitment.
“With C.J., the thing that has impressed me the most is his dedication to being as best as he can possibly be,” Ryans said. “He puts the work in not only when he’s here, everybody does, that’s a given. But what you see about C.J. is the work and the preparation he puts in when he’s not here. He’s a true football junkie. He loves football, he’s always watching football, and he’s always asking for extra cut-ups from our coaches.”
The battle for the starting quarterback position in Houston continues to heat up as C.J. Stroud and Davis Mills compete for the role. While No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young has already been named the starter for the Carolina Panthers, the Texans are taking a more cautious approach with their No. 2 pick.
Stroud, however, remains focused on his own development and improving the team as a whole. He acknowledges Young’s success but understands that each player’s situation is unique. Stroud is determined to work hard and contribute to the team’s success, regardless of whether he starts or not.
Through the first five practices, both Mills and Stroud have shown flashes of potential but also made some rookie mistakes. Mills has thrown two interceptions, while Stroud has struggled with indecisiveness and holding onto the ball too long. However, both quarterbacks have also demonstrated their ability to make big plays down the field.
Coach DeMeco Ryans has been impressed with Stroud’s growth and command of the huddle. Transitioning from college to the NFL requires learning new terminology and play-calling processes, and Stroud has shown progress in these areas.
Mills, on the other hand, is focused on performing his best and showcasing his skills to the coaching staff. He believes that constantly thinking about the competition can cloud his mindset and hinder his performance.
The addition of veteran quarterback Case Keenum provides valuable experience and leadership in the quarterbacks’ room. Keenum, who started his career with the Texans in 2013, has played for multiple teams and brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. Like Mills, all the quarterbacks are prioritizing improvement over the competition for the starting role.
Stroud emphasizes the importance of earning his place on the team and not relying on anything being given to him. He recognizes the talent of both Mills and Keenum and believes that focusing on continuous improvement is the key to success.
Regardless of the outcome of the quarterback battle, Ryans is impressed with Stroud’s dedication and commitment to becoming the best player he can be. Stroud’s passion for football is evident in his work ethic and constant desire to learn and improve.
As the Texans prepare for the upcoming season, the competition between Stroud and Mills will continue to unfold. Both quarterbacks have shown promise and areas for growth, and it will ultimately be up to the coaching staff to determine who will lead the team on the field.