‘Calm,’ Texans quarterback Davis Mills’ confidence building, eyes fast start in pivotal game against Titans

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Davis Mills has built a reputation for having a low-key personality defined by a humble nature and an understated speaking style.

At one point during the Texans’ dramatic comeback victory he engineered a week ago over the Jacksonville Jaguars, tight end Dalton Schultz urged the fifth-year quarterback and former Stanford teammate to get louder.

That’s Mills’ authentic self, but it works for him. Several players, including star wide receiver and old friend Nico Collins find Mills approach to be inspirational in confidence. During an epic comeback with 26 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, Mills was exhorting his teammates throughout the game that they could pull it off.

“Man, just calm and collected,” Collins said. “It’s really just not making the moment bigger than what it is, just going out and just leading the way he should. As a quarterback, that’s what you want to do is go out and lead. And he’s showing that every single day. He’s been showing that since he got here. We came in together, man, but he’s always been that guy.”

The Texans need Mills to be that guy again Sunday in a pivotal AFC South game against the 1-8 Tennessee Titans. Twice before this season, the defending division champions were on the verge of achieving a .500 record. Each time, though, they fell short in losses to the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos.

With the Indianapolis Colts running away with the division title race, the Texans can position themselves to stay relevant in the AFC wild-card playoff race. A win Sunday could set themselves up for a lot of meaningful football.

That’s why the Texans need Mills, starting his second consecutive game in place of starting quarterback C.J. Stroud due to a concussion, to play the way he did in the fourth quarter last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

And Mills, after passing for 292 yards and two touchdowns and running for the game-winning score, is riding a wave of momentum.

“Obviously going out and winning games adds to your confidence and comfortability out there,” Mills said. “I think every week’s different. We got another tough opponent, looking forward to Tennessee this weekend. We got to prepare extremely well this week and go out there and execute. That’s all it boils down to. So, that’s what I’m trying to do and that’s what we’re trying to do throughout the week.”

Within the even-measured tone from the Texans’ quarterback, there was a deep confidence. The Texans, especially longtime teammates like Collins and offensive lineman Tytus Howard, are accustomed to his leadership style.

“Davis is not quiet at all, but he’s a good dude, man,” Howard said. “I’m happy to be his locker mate. I’ve known him for a long time. I always know what he’s capable of doing, so it’s great to see him be successful and I’m hoping he continues to do that.”

The Texans replaced Mills as their starter when they drafted Stroud, a former Heisman Trophy finalist, second overall in 2023. He emerged as the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Now, the Texans are turning to Mills once again with Stroud still experiencing symptoms, including sensitivity to light a week ago and headaches this week that cast doubt on his availability for a Thursday night game against the Buffalo Bills.

“This week I’m looking for Davis to continue to improve,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “I thought he went out and did a nice job leading us to a victory last week. I’m looking for him to go out, execute the offense the proper way, get us in proper calls and just do his job to the best of his ability.”

Mills passed for 104 yards in the fourth quarter a week ago and engineered the second-biggest comeback in franchise history.

Despite the huge deficit, Mills stayed poised.

He threw touchdown passes to rookie wide receiver Jayden Higgins and veteran tight end Dalton Schultz, a two-point pass to Collins and scrambled for the game-deciding score.

“It’s fun,” Mills said. “The game’s not over until the clock says zero. I’ve never had the mindset where you’ve given up or you’re going out there to get through it. You’re going out there to win the game every play.”

The Texans did trail 17-0 last Sunday, due to a Mills interception, a fumbled kickoff return by Tremon Smith and a punt return given up for a touchdown by the special teams.

Mills rallied the team, but that’s not what they want ideally. They want to carry over the fourth-quarter sense of urgency and apply that to an entire game.

“We’ve got to go out there and start fast,” Mills said. “Ultimately, it comes down to scoring more points than the other team, and it’s nice when you can do that early in the game.”

One tangible difference in the Texans’ strategy under offensive coordinator Nick Caley’s game plan last week: stepping up in the pocket in a more free-wheeling approach for Mills, who has generally preferred to throw from inside the pocket most of the time. That was also a point of emphasis for quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson.

“We have moved the pockets and ways to get us out of the pocket that are designed,” Mills said. “A big thing that Jerrod’s been talking to us about in the QB room is always pushing forward in the pocket. Nothing really good ever happens when you’re escaping outside the tackles. You get a lot of holding penalties or guys falling off late and you end up getting sacked or have to throw it away.

“So, the more you can command up through the pocket, the defense will sometimes fall off their guy and come up and try to get you. As long as you remain a passer, you can find someone open in your progression. Or you can take off and get the free yards the defense is giving you and get down. So, I think moving up in the pocket and letting the rush develop and being able to access the defense internally is usually advantageous.”

Mills peppered the Jaguars’ secondary with throws to Collins, targeting him 15 times for seven receptions and a season-high 136 yards.

Yes, it’s safe to say that is what can be expected from Mills. The timing and chemistry with Collins goes back to 2021 when both were drafted in the third round by general manager Nick Caserio.

Plus, Collins represents the prototype as a big, fast receiver at 6-foot-4, 222 pounds with 4.44 speed in the 40-yard dash.

“I think they were giving us some looks where he was isolated in one-on-one coverage and we liked the matchup,” Mills said. “Then, there were other things where we were trying to scheme him to get him open. Nico is extremely explosive with the ball in his hand. As many times we can get him the ball, good things usually happen for us.

“If defenses start covering him, it opens up a lot of our other guys, too. So, I think when he’s playing well, I think our whole offense is going to do well. I don’t think anything was forced. It was just, Nico is going to make a play. He’s open, he’s running good routes. He’s on time. My offensive line is doing a great job protecting. So, obviously we want to try to get him the ball.”

The Texans were sharp on third down and in the red zone, going 4 for 5 after entering last week as the NFL’s last-ranked red-zone outfit.

The Titans, although headlined by one of the NFL’s top defensive tackles in Jeffery Simmons, are allowing 28.6 points per game. The Texans got off to a bad start against the Titans last time, but Stroud led them on three touchdown drives in a 26-0 shutout win at NRG Stadium.

“We know they’re talented and have the capability of winning the game,” Mills said. “We can’t sit back and start off slow and try to fall into something. We’ve got to be the aggressors and go out there and execute.

“Anything can happen. We’ve got to go out there and not worry about the other team’s record. Go out there and play a really good football team and focus on ourselves, and the results will come.”

“No, that’s in the past. I’m really focused on what’s going to happen this week. We’ve got another tough opponent, like I said before. We’ve got to execute our game plan at a high level if we want to go out and win this thing.”

Two seasons ago, Mills was passed over when Stroud was concussed against the New York Jets. Instead of operating as the new starter against the Titans, the Texans placed their confidence in third-string quarterback Case Keenum as he leap-frogged Mills on the depth chart.

Mills was introspective about not getting the opportunity that Keenum did as the older quarterback led the Texans to a key win over the Titans in overtime.

He’s grown from that difficult moment.

And his trademark cool approach? Well, that extends to his life at home with his family.

“I’ve always had that mindset of just being calm,” Mills said. “I’ve always been pretty analytical, where stuff that happens in the past doesn’t bother me too much. I can’t do anything about it. I’m ready to attack what’s ahead and what’s in the current moment.

“It’s funny. My wife used to get mad at me sometimes. She’d ask me a question or want to argue a little bit and I wouldn’t react. She’s like, ‘Why are you not mad?’ I was like, ‘It is what it is. We’ll figure it out.’”

The Texans like exactly who Mills is. They believe in him.

“Just poise, consistency, never too high, never too low, great command, just really steady,” Caley said. “It’s exactly what he’s been ever since my exposure around him and I’m sure well before me here.”

Instead of panicking on a clutch third down in the red zone, Mills stayed calm. When he saw the opportunity to take off on a 14-yard scramble after penalties scuttled some easier touchdown opportunities, Mills was decisive on his game-winning run. He manufactured the second-largest comeback behind a 21-point comeback against the Chargers in 2013 when Matt Schaub was the Texans’ quarterback.

“I’ve always had the mentality to stay confident regardless of what happened on the play before,” Mills said after passing for 292 yards on 27 of 45 accuracy and an 84.7 passer rating. “It’s kind of like the old basketball mentality: shooters shoot. If you stop you’re not going to see shots go in.”

Mills, signed earlier this season through 2026 to a one-year, $7 million contract extension, and the Texans overcame the odds.

“Man, I just seen a lion, I seen a lion on the hunt all day,” Texans Pro Bowl defensive end Will Anderson Jr. said. “The way he led his troops, man, down the field, up and down the field, man. He’s a star, and I’m happy to have him. He’s a blessing to this team.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com