While we should tend to shy away from random mock trades, as predicting who will and won’t be moved is a nearly impossible task, a scenario that has popped up recently should have Pittsburgh Steelers fans intrigued. It involves trading for a quarterback to compete as the starter, potentially.
And, no, it isn’t a decrepit Kirk Cousins.
Instead, the name on the rumor mill has been Houston Texans backup Davis Mills. Drafted in the third round by the Texans, Mills has settled into a backup role with the team. With rookie Graham Mertz in the room, the Texans could look to trade him away.
Looking at the Pittsburgh Steelers mock trade for Texans backup QB Davis Mills
The rumor I’ve seen floating around is that Mills and a 2026 fourth-round pick would be acquired in exchange for one of the Steelers' 2026 third-round picks. If the Texans were at all interested, Pittsburgh should be interested.
No, Mills never developed into a starter, but that isn’t entirely his fault. He was a raw prospect coming out of his limited time at Stanford, and the Texans threw him right into the fire with little support. He was the starter for most of two seasons before Houston drafted C.J. Stroud.
Since then, he has settled in as a top backup and has looked fine when needed. A few extra seasons of development could have been just what he needed to take some steps forward.
Coming out of school, Mills was a bit of a throwback style of passer. He had a strong arm and could sling the ball, but his mobility was lacking. That said, he can do enough on the ground if that is his only option.
I’d argue that he has a better arm than Mason Rudolph, and while the current Steelers starter has a far better pocket presence, there could be a great competition here. This would take you out of the Aaron Rodgers running, which makes the move all the better.
This also lets Will Howard settle in as the third quarterback on the team (assuming he beats Skylar Thompson). Despite fans’ early obsession with him, that is his best fit as a rookie.
His current contract is cheap, and assuming he continues to garner looks as a top backup, he should be eligible to net the team a comp pick if he doesn’t stick past this year.
While idealistic, I think there is an argument to be made that he could ascend as a starter as well.
Sure, the Steelers likely want to have extra draft picks to move up for a quarterback next year, but at the end of the day, moving back 30 or so spots won’t be what kills a draft day move. Frankly, this is a cheap offer to acquire a better second quarterback who could even start.
So, if a deal like this is even remotely on the table, the Steelers would be fools not to bite. While the odds are Mills wouldn’t be more than a backup, taking a shot on him that cheaply is a no-brainer decision.
