Should the Eagles Trade for Davis Mills to Fill Backup Role?

A Howie Roseman Move

Speaking of Minshew, trading for a backup is a move right in Roseman’s wheelhouse. Those in the Mills/Minshew category of a demoted former starter looking for a new home don’t go for whole a lot, so the price wouldn’t be steep by any means.

Has Mills lit it up in the pros? No, but he was also starting for a Texans team the past two years that was barely NFL-quality. A disgruntled Brandin Cooks was his top wideout in 2022, meanwhile Chris Moore and Nico Collins were his second options. There was only so much he could in an environment that was predicated on losing a ton of games for high draft picks.

The opportunity to learn behind an incredibly strong leader and competitor like Hurts could be massive for Mills. He’d also get a coach in Nick Sirianni who has the incredible skill of getting the most out of his players.

Backup QB Competition

Mills has shown some promise after being a third-round pick. After all, his play as a rookie caused him to leapfrog veteran Tyrod Taylor on the depth chart despite Houston’s investment in the latter. He’s managed to post at least 16 touchdowns in both seasons as well despite his lackluster weapons, which isn’t nothing.

Philadelphia’s QB room is far from set at this point in the preseason. Though there’s been plenty of positive buzz out of camp, one player who hasn’t impressed yet is Marcus Mariota. He’s also coming off of knee surgery and a failed showing as a starter during 2022 campaign, so this job is by no means in the bag for him just yet.

With Ian Book and Tanner McKee providing two very volatile options behind, the Eagles need to make sure this area of the depth chart is rock-solid before Week 1. Adding a former third-round pick who touts legit starting experience would inject some strong competition into the mix.

Following the league’s passing of the third quarterback rule, which allows teams to dress a QB3 who doesn’t take up an active roster spot on game days, there’s even more incentive to take as many chances on potential QB talent as possible.