The Houston Texans are giving 2022 to Davis Mills. The second-year quarterback will have a fair chance to make his case as the franchise’s signal caller long-term and chase away the personnel and scouting departments from investing too heavily in the position.
However, the commitment to Mills doesn’t mean the other quarterbacks on the roster can take it easy. Through the first two days of training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center, backup Kyle Allen has made an impression with his coaches and teammates.
“I talk a lot about Davis Mills, rightfully so, but you just never know when it’s the backup’s time to step up,” coach Lovie Smith told reporters on July 30. “Kyle has played a lot of ball. He’s mobile. He’s accurate and that’s why we brought him here; a guy that if we have to call on him, he knows our offense and we feel like he can run it.”
Allen has a 7-10 record as a starter with the majority of it compiled in 2019 when in relief of an injured Cam Newton with the Carolina Panthers. Allen went 5-7, but it wasn’t enough to save Ron Rivera’s job, and he was fired midseason. When Rivera took the Washington job in 2020, Allen went to the NFC East club and posted a 1-3 record. Allen was on the roster in 2021, but did not log a start.
Center Justin Britt was complimentary of Allen after practice on July 30.
“I think our whole quarterback group has a lot of talent, Kyle has made a lot of ball and made a name for himself in the league and you can say the same for all of them,” said Britt. “His personality is one of my favorites, so I mean, I’m the center, I’m for all of them.”
While the upcoming season is all about Mills, Allen is making sure the Texans have a reliable backup in case the second-year field general runs into availability issues.
