The 2024 Texans quarterback situation might be the best it's ever been, top to bottom.
Three of the four Texans quarterbacks started two or more games in the NFL in 2023. But the one at the top sets the tone for this organization and he could be even more special in 2024.
With training camp coming up sooner than anyone wants to admit, I wanted to take a deep dive into the Texans current 90-man roster, position by position.
Let's start at the top with the quartet of gunslingers on this roster, led by the wunderkind who took the NFL by storm in 2023.
Quarterbacks (numerical order)
7 C.J. Stroud
2nd year in Houston
2023 #2 overall pick
2023 Stats: 15 games, 319 of 499 (64%) for 4108 yards, 23 TD, 5 INT, 167 yards rushing, 3 TD
- led the NFL in passing yards per game (273.9 ypg)
- led three game winning drives (6th best in the NFL)
- led the NFL in pass interception % - 1.0 %
Honors
2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
2023 PFWA Rookie of the Year
2023 NFL All-Rookie Team
Pro Bowl - 2023
AFC Player of the Month - November 2023
2x AFC Offensive Player of the Week - 2023
Stroud couldn't have done more in 2023, completing one of the greatest rookie QB campaigns in the history of the NFL. He led the Texans to the divisional round of the playoffs and helped galvanize the city of Houston after a long dry spell.
It's often said that the BIG jump for players is the one from year one to year two. If that happens for Stroud, as it has for many others, OH…BOY!
This offseason, it was beyond impressive to talk, listen and learn from so many different people in the NFL world HOW incredible Stroud actually was, even beyond the stats from last season. These moments jump off the page, in my estimation.
- Deep to Nico Collins to start the win-and-in game at Indy in week 18.
- The last-minute drive against Tampa, featuring two great throws to Tank Dell to win it.
- The absolute jaw-dropping performance at Cincinnati the week following.
- The demolition of Pittsburgh in Week 4.
- Introducing himself to the Jaguars in Week 3.
- The destruction of the Browns in a rookie record-setting playoff performance in his first-ever start in the playoffs
But, as he will tell you as well, there's more to do in Year 2 and beyond. The fact that this young man leads this offense, this team and this city makes all of us smile. A lot.
10 Davis Mills
4th year in Houston
2021 3rd round pick
2023 Stats - six games, 18 of 39 for 173 yards, two TD, two rush attempts, nine yards
Mills is going into the fourth year of his rookie contract and it stood out to me in OTA/minicamp how much he continues to improve. His arm had plenty of zip. He made quick, smart throwing decisions. He made accurate throws into small spaces all over the field. Over his career, he's started 26 games, so he's got starter's experience and will be ready for any situation, any time. He will get four preseason games and a joint practice opportunity against the Los Angeles Rams to hone his competitive skills and I look forward to him taking strides another year in Houston.
16 Tim Boyle
6th year - 2nd season in Houston
2023 FA signing, 2024 reserve/future contract
2023 Stats (Jets) - 3 games, 48 for 77, 360 yards, one TD, four INT, 4 rush att, 5 yards
Gunslinger. That's the word that Boyle used to describe himself this offseason when I asked him to do so. He has a howitzer of a right arm and that fastball is absolutely legit coming out of his hand. He does have starting experience, having started five games in his five years in the NFL. The Texans snatched him up late last year to add to the practice squad and he remained here in Houston on a reserve/future contract through the offseason. That final month of the season was instrumental for him to learn the offense, learn the organization and get comfortable in his new surroundings, making the transition into the offseason that much easier and smoother. His comfort was evident in the OTA/minicamp practices for certain.
18 Case Keenum
12th year - 4th year in Houston (5th if you count PS year in 2012)
2023 FA signing
2023 stats - 2 games, 34 for 53 for 291 yards, one TD, three INT
Honors
- Led the Texans to a win over the Titans, wearing those Oilers jerseys, in Nashville in his first start two years
- NFC Offensive Player of the Month - November 2017
- Led 11 game-winning drives in his career
When Keenum signed with the Texans in the 2023 offseason, I remember thinking that he would be great for the Texans for MANY reasons. I wasn't sure at the time that any of those reasons included stepping in and starting in one of the most important weeks of the season…and WINNING. But, his performance against the Titans in Nashville will go down as one of the most memorable in the history of this franchise. The University of Houston alum beating the former Houston Oilers in those Oilers jerseys in their building in overtime??
Wow.
When we asked him about that game this offseason, he said that he didn't realize at the time what that meant to the people of Houston, but he's been reminded constantly. In 2024, he may not start a game and may not take those same meaningful snaps, but he still provides an insane amount of value in this QB room, regardless.
