It is January 2026, and if you are looking at the Houston Texans quarterback depth chart, you’re looking at a group that just survived a mid-season heart attack. Most fans remember where they were when C.J. Stroud went down with that concussion against the Denver Broncos earlier this season. For three weeks, the city of Houston held its breath.
But the Texans didn't crumble.
They actually went on a 10-game winning streak. That doesn't happen by accident. It happens because Nick Caserio and DeMeco Ryans stopped treating the backup quarterback spot like an afterthought and started treating it like an insurance policy you actually want to pay for.
The Unquestioned General: C.J. Stroud
Let’s be real: this is C.J. Stroud’s world. We’re all just living in it.
After leading the Texans to back-to-back AFC South titles in his first two seasons, Stroud has officially graduated from "promising young star" to "the guy teams fear." Even with a slightly disappointing statistical dip mid-year compared to his insane rookie numbers, he finished the 2025 regular season with 3,041 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and only 8 interceptions.
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He’s the engine. When he’s on, the offense hums with a rhythm that makes offensive coordinator Nick Caley look like a genius. Stroud’s ability to scan the field and find Nico Collins or Christian Kirk in tight windows is basically second to none right now.
But as we saw this year, even the best engines can stall. Stroud missed three games after that 18-15 loss to the Broncos. In years past, that would have been the "well, there's always next season" moment for Houston. Not this time.
The $7 Million Security Guard: Davis Mills
Most people sort of forgot about Davis Mills. He was the guy who stayed behind while the franchise moved on. But in September 2025, the Texans did something that raised a few eyebrows: they signed Mills to a one-year, fully guaranteed $7 million extension.
That move made him the second-highest-paid backup in the league. People laughed. They aren't laughing now.
When Stroud went down, Mills stepped in and didn't just "manage" the game—he won. He threw for 915 yards, five touchdowns, and only one pick during his stint as the starter. He looked like a guy who had started 26 NFL games before, which, honestly, he has.
DeMeco Ryans keeps talking about "competitive depth." Mills is the poster child for that. He’s calm. He’s boring in the best way possible. He doesn't try to be Stroud; he just executes the play.
"As calm as can be, nice and easy. You just trust your guys, right? And that's what Davis has shown." — DeMeco Ryans
The New Kid and the Veteran Ghost
Behind the "Big Two," the Houston Texans quarterback depth chart gets a little more experimental.
Graham Mertz is the name to watch. The rookie out of Florida (by way of Wisconsin) beat out the other camp arms to secure a spot on the 53-man roster. He hasn't seen meaningful regular-season snaps yet, but the coaching staff is high on his development. He’s essentially the developmental project that the team hopes they never have to use in 2026.
Then there’s the veteran presence. Case Keenum is still around, though he spent the bulk of this season on Injured Reserve. At this stage of his career, Keenum is more of a secondary coach than a dual-threat threat. He’s in the room to help Stroud and Mills dissect film. If you see Keenum taking snaps in a playoff game in 2026, something has gone horribly, terribly wrong.
On the practice squad, you’ve got Kedon Slovis. He’s the insurance for the insurance. He’s yet to see a live NFL snap, but he’s there to run the scout team and keep the defense honest during Tuesday practices.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Room
The common narrative is that the Texans are "top-heavy."
People look at Stroud and think the season lives and dies with his right arm. While that’s mostly true—you aren't winning a Super Bowl without No. 7—the 2025-2026 season proved the floor is much higher than people realize.
The Texans spent nearly $13 million on their quarterback room this year. In a league where teams are desperate to save cap space, Houston overspent on "just in case."
That "just in case" is why they are currently prepping for a Divisional Playoff game against the New England Patriots instead of booking tee times in Cabo.
Actionable Insights for the Post-Season
If you're tracking this roster into the 2026 offseason, here is what you need to keep an eye on:
- The Mills Trade Value: With Davis Mills proving he can win games as a spot-starter, expect his name to pop up in trade rumors. QB-needy teams might see that $7 million contract as a bargain for a proven commodity.
- Stroud’s Contract Extension: It’s coming. Now that he’s eligible, expect a "reset the market" type of deal. The Texans have the cap space, but a massive Stroud contract will change how they fill the rest of the depth chart in 2027.
- Backup Continuity: If Mills moves on, Graham Mertz will likely be fast-tracked to the QB2 spot. Watch his performance in the 2026 preseason very closely; that will tell you if the Texans feel they need to dip back into the veteran market.
The Texans have built a quarterback room that is resilient. They aren't just relying on a superstar; they’ve built a system where the next man up doesn't mean the end of the world. That’s how you build a perennial contender.