The Houston Texans are entering Year 2 of the C.J. Stroud era, and the 22-year-old’s NFL career couldn’t have gotten off to a better start. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft had arguably the best rookie QB season of all time and already looks like a bona fide star.
But what does the Texans’ QB depth chart look like behind Stroud? Given the importance of the QB position, teams need multiple options at quarterback — even if they’ve already found the face of the franchise. Also, with a young QB like Stroud, it’s beneficial to have a veteran in the QB room who can help his development by breaking down film and teaching the right habits. Let’s break down the Texans’ QB depth chart.
Who Are the Houston Texans’ Quarterbacks?
The Texans are in one of the most enviable positions in the NFL. Having a young, stud quarterback on a rookie contract means the team could spend to load up the supporting cast around him. After striking gold with Stroud, that’s exactly what the Texans are doing. Here’s a closer look at the three quarterbacks currently on the Texans’ depth chart.
C.J. Stroud
The Texans drafted Stroud with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and it’s looking like the kind of selection that can change the franchise’s trajectory.
The Ohio State Buckeyes product had a legendary rookie season. Stroud started 15 games, leading Houston to a 9-6 record despite most experts projecting the team to finish near the bottom of the standings. Stroud passed for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and five interceptions on a 63.9% completion percentage. He won the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award, beating out rookie Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua.
Stroud also earned a Pro Bowl nod and landed top-20 billing in the NFL Top 100, a ranking of the league’s best players voted on by the players themselves. (Stroud was ranked No. 35 in Pro Football Network’s Top 100). Stroud is the unquestioned QB1 of the Texans now and for many years to come.
Davis Mills
Mills represents the years of quarterback turmoil this franchise endured amidst the Deshaun Watson disaster. Mills was drafted at the top of the third round in the 2021 NFL Draft after two promising years at Stanford and was tossed into the fire immediately.
With Watson sidelined, Mills was the QB2 option behind veteran Tyrod Taylor, who was injured in Week 2 of the 2021 season. Mills would play in 13 games as a rookie, starting 11. He played admirably for a young player in such a precarious position, throwing for 2,664 yards, 16 TDs, and 10 INTs on a 66.8% completion percentage.
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He was named the QB1 heading into the 2022 season and started 15 games with mixed results. His efficiency declined, as he completed just 61% of his passes and tossed a league-high 15 interceptions.
In 2023, Mills lost the starting job to Stroud in training camp and appeared sparingly as the primary backup, a role he’s fighting to retain in 2024.
Case Keenum
Keenum is one of the league’s most accomplished veteran backup quarterbacks. He was signed by the Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2012 and has played for nearly one-quarter of the league’s teams: the Texans, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Washington Commanders, Cleveland Browns, and Buffalo Bills.
His best NFL season came in 2017 when Keenum took over the Vikings for an injured Sam Bradford. Keenum threw for 3,547 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just seven picks on a 67.6% completion rate across 15 games (including 14 starts). Minnesota went 11-3 in the regular season with Keenum at the helm, securing a bye in the playoffs.
In the Divisional Round of the playoffs, Keenum achieved legend status in the state of Minnesota when he connected with Stefon Diggs in the fourth quarter for a game-winning 61-yard touchdown pass as time expired, a play later dubbed the “Minneapolis Miracle.”
Keenum parlayed that successful season with the Vikings into a starting job with the Broncos in 2018, but his play fizzled out in the Mile High City. He’s mostly held backup roles over the subsequent five seasons. As previously mentioned, having an experienced veteran like Keenum in the QB room could be excellent for Stroud’s development.
Tim Boyle
A career backup, Boyle bounced around most of the NFC North before making the switch to the AFC last season. In 2018, he signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent and spent three seasons in the green and gold.
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In 2021, Boyle joined the Detroit Lions and was ultimately called upon to start three games in place of an injured Jared Goff. The Lions lost all three contests. Boyle signed with the division-rival Chicago Bears in 2022 and appeared in one contest.
In 2023, Boyle joined the New York Jets. With the Jets changing out QBs seemingly every other week following Aaron Rodgers’ Week 1 injury, Boyle started two games, passing for 360 yards on a 62.3% completion rate, one touchdown, and four picks.