Who serves as the backup quarterback for the Texans? Looking at the 2024 QB depth chart behind C.J. Stroud, the Texans made a significant pick in the 2023 NFL Draft by selecting Stroud from Ohio State as the second overall choice in the first round.
Stroud’s rapid progress, exceeding the typical learning curve for rookie quarterbacks, has spared him the usual challenges faced by most first-year NFL signal-callers, thanks to his exceptional mental processing skills. In his rookie season, Stroud achieved a 63.9% completion rate, threw for 4,108 yards, recorded 23 touchdowns, and had only 5 interceptions. His standout performance positions him as a leading contender for Offensive Rookie of the Year, and the Texans are counting on his success to continue throughout the team’s playoff push. Ensuring Stroud’s well-being is a top priority for Houston, given his integral role in the Texans’ pursuit of a Super Bowl.
However, acknowledging the unpredictability of injuries, especially in a season marked by misfortune across the league, it’s crucial to be informed about the two quarterbacks backing up Stroud on the Texans’ depth chart. The primary backup quarterback for the Texans is Davis Mills, who played his college career at Stanford and was chosen by the Texans as the 67th overall pick in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Over his three seasons, Mills has completed 62.8% of his passes for 5,955 yards, tallying 35 touchdowns and 25 interceptions. In the current season, Mills has made six appearances, completing 18 of 39 passing attempts (46.2%) for 173 yards and 2 touchdowns. Despite being initially viewed as the team’s future, Mills has experienced both ups and downs in his professional career. During his Stanford tenure, he achieved a 65.5% completion rate, threw for just under 3,500 yards, and contributed 18 touchdowns and 8 interceptions in Stanford’s intricate West Coast offense. Mills most recently played in a game against Cleveland, entering with just over 9 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and completing one pass for 6 yards.
While Stroud maintains a firm grip on the starting quarterback position, Mills serves as the backup, and veteran Case Keenum occupies the third spot on the Texans’ QB depth chart. Keenum, a seasoned player with 11 NFL seasons under his belt, has played for seven different teams, including the Texans, Rams, Vikings, Broncos, Commanders, Browns, and the Bills. This marks his second stint with the Texans. In the 2023 season, Keenum has appeared in two games, completing 34 of 53 passing attempts for 291 yards, registering 1 touchdown, and experiencing 3 interceptions.
