If you weren't watching Davis Mills during training camp practices or preseason games, you were watching Lovie Smith and Pep Hamilton watch him.
While there's never been any doubt who the Texans starting quarterback was going to be entering camp or the regular season for that matter, the only competition there was for maybe a second or two was between Kyle Allen and Jeff Driskel.
Yet, not even two game winning drives from Driskel could thwart Allen from winning the backup job.
Mills has been on a slow progression upward to reach his full potential. But at least it's progress.
The difficulty has been gauging realistic expectations during the preseason with Mills running a vanilla offense. Yet, Smith and Caserio in particular, have been satisfied with what they've seen from Mills thus far.
"It's not gray, it's in black and white. I believe in him for a good reason. I love him leading our team," said Smith.
Caserio, always a bit more calculated and careful with what he says about players and how he says it, broke it down as only he could, meeting with reporters Wednesday afternoon.
"Davis is a smart kid. He works hard. He has good athletic traits and attributes," Caserio said. "Davis has an opportunity in front of him. I think he's excited about the opportunity. I think our team's excited about the opportunity. But the bottom line, it's about production and it's about going out there and playing effectively. That's the most important thing."
After a rough go of things when he had his number called last season, Mills struggle to take care of the football, get it out quick and sustain drives.
However, relentless, and realizing the moment and opportunity before him, Mills finished strong. The more he played last year, the more confident and comfortable he became, which has not gone unnoticed by teammates this preseason.
Texans receiver Chris Moore echoed similar sentiments from other teammates on both sides of the ball, about Mills' leadership and drive to be better.
"I'm excited to see him," Chris Moore said. "The biggest thing I like to see, too, is his leadership and how he's really taking control of this offense and just stepped up and is showing that he's the leader of this offense."
Being thrown into the fire was a productive and positive learning experience for Mills. He finished the season 2-3 as the starter, completing nearly 67% of his passes, limited mistakes, throwing just two picks the rest of the way along with nine touchdowns.
That finish to the season gave Mills the confidence he needed, and his teammates enough reason to believe, that he can lead this team going forward.
General manager Nick Caserio, wouldn't budge on discussing the evaluation process of Mills as a long term solution for the Texans when pressed on it Wednesday.
"I'm not really focused on the long-term. I'm focused on the next week and just trying to have a good week in preparation for the Colts," Caserio said. "That's where our focus is as a team. That's what we're worried about, and just try to go out there and execute and prepare and get ready to play the Colts, who are a good team."
What Davis Mills could develop into remains to be seen, however Caserio continued to try and improve the roster around him with the addition of wide receiver Tyler Johnson, who the team claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay this week.
Johnson, is a big body receiver to compliment Nico Collins. He's shown ability to create space, finish strong through contact and out-athlete defensive backs for 50/50 balls.
On paper, he at least looks like another potential weapon for Mills as the Texans try and give their quarterback everything they can, within reason, to succeed this year.
Will Davis Mills seize the opportunity this year, is the question.
Caserio certainly knows the road will be tough beginning week one, against a team that kicked them when they were down last year.
"They've got a good football team. It will certainly be a big challenge in front of us," Caserio said. "They kicked our ass twice last year, so we've got a lot of work in front of us."
Shaun Bijani has spent the last 16 years covering the Houston sports scene for SportsRadio 610. Follow him on Twitter @ShaunBijani.
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