Finding Stability in the Lone Star State: Is This the Year Houston Finally Finds Its Franchise Quarterback?

The city of Houston, Texas, has been on a quest to find its franchise quarterback for what feels like an eternity. With a rich football history and a loyal fan base, the Texans have been searching for the right signal-caller to lead their team to victory and bring home a championship to the nation's fourth-largest city. After years of experimentation and missteps, the Texans are once again on the hunt for the perfect QB. In this article, we'll explore the current state of the Texans' quarterback situation and examine whether this is the year Houston finally finds its franchise quarterback.

The Texans' quarterback situation has been a subject of discussion for many years. With a string of high-profile QBs coming and going, the team has struggled to find stability and consistency at the position. From Matt Schaub to Ryan Mallett, the Texans have had their fair share of quarterbacks, but none have been able to bring the team to the promised land. In recent years, the team has turned to the draft, selecting quarterbacks like Deshaun Watson and Davis Mills, but neither has been able to live up to expectations.

So, what makes a franchise quarterback? A franchise quarterback is a quarterback who can lead their team to sustained success over the course of many years. They are often characterized by their ability to read defenses, make accurate passes, and make plays outside of the pocket. They are also typically leaders who can motivate and inspire their teammates to perform at their best.

The Current State of the Texans' Quarterback Situation

The Texans currently have two quarterbacks under contract, Davis Mills and Jeff Brooks. While both quarterbacks have shown promise, they are still young and unproven. Davis Mills, the Texans' 2021 first-round pick, has shown flashes of brilliance, but he has also struggled with consistency and accuracy. Jeff Brooks, on the other hand, is a veteran quarterback who has been around the block a few times. While he may not have the same level of athleticism as Mills, he has a strong arm and can make accurate passes.

The Case for Davis Mills

Davis Mills is the clear favorite to be the Texans' starting quarterback in 2023. With his speed, agility, and arm strength, Mills has the potential to be a franchise quarterback. He has shown flashes of brilliance in his limited playing time, including a number of impressive throws and a few key touchdowns. However, Mills has also struggled with consistency and accuracy, and he will need to work on these issues if he wants to be a long-term solution for the Texans.

Some of the strengths of Davis Mills include:

• Speed and agility: Mills has quick feet and can make plays outside of the pocket.
• Arm strength: Mills has a strong arm and can make accurate throws down the field.
• Football IQ: Mills has a high football IQ and can read defenses.

On the other hand, some of the weaknesses of Davis Mills include:

• Inconsistency: Mills has struggled with consistency and accuracy in his limited playing time.
• Lack of experience: Mills is still a young quarterback and has limited experience under center.
• Mechanics: Mills' mechanics are still a work in progress, and he will need to work on his footwork and throwing motion.

The Case for Jeff Brooks

Jeff Brooks is a veteran quarterback who has been around the block a few times. While he may not have the same level of athleticism as Mills, he has a strong arm and can make accurate passes. Brooks has a lot of experience under his belt, including stints with the Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, and Indianapolis Colts.

Some of the strengths of Jeff Brooks include:

• Experience: Brooks has a lot of experience playing in the NFL and has been around the block a few times.
• Arm strength: Brooks has a strong arm and can make accurate throws down the field.
• Leadership: Brooks is a leader who can motivate and inspire his teammates to perform at their best.

On the other hand, some of the weaknesses of Jeff Brooks include:

• Lack of athleticism: Brooks is not as athletic as Mills and may struggle to make plays outside of the pocket.
• Mechanics: Brooks' mechanics are still a work in progress, and he will need to work on his footwork and throwing motion.
• Age: Brooks is getting older, and he may not have the same level of energy and enthusiasm as younger quarterbacks.

The Path to Franchise Quarterback

So, how does the Texans' quarterback situation compare to other teams in the NFL? While no team has a clear franchise quarterback, some teams are closer than others. For example:

• The Kansas City Chiefs have a franchise quarterback in Patrick Mahomes, who is widely considered one of the best quarterbacks in the league.
• The Los Angeles Rams have a franchise quarterback in Matthew Stafford, who has led the team to the Super Bowl in recent years.
• The Green Bay Packers have a franchise quarterback in Aaron Rodgers, who is a two-time NFL MVP.

On the other hand, the Texans are still searching for their franchise quarterback. With a young and talented quarterback like Davis Mills, the Texans may be closer than they think.

Some key statistics to keep in mind when evaluating the Texans' quarterback situation include:

• The Texans have finished with a winning record only once in the last five seasons.
• The Texans have not appeared in a playoff game since 2016.
• The Texans have not won a division title since 2019.

Conclusion

The Texans' quarterback situation is a complex one, with both Davis Mills and Jeff Brooks competing for the starting job. While neither quarterback has been able to live up to expectations, Mills has shown flashes of brilliance and has the potential to be a franchise quarterback. Brooks, on the other hand, has a lot of experience under his belt, but may struggle to keep up with the league's fastest players