As training camps continue around the NFL, the Houston Texans' defense has been receiving a ton of attention. Between their ballhawks and disruptors in the secondary, and their difference-makers up front, the Texans' defensive unit is shaping up to be something special if they can parlay their training camp success into regular-season results.
Although all signs point to plenty of defensive success in Houston's future, there's always room for improvement. Head coach DeMeco Ryans and his staff know that well, which is why the Texans brought in an experienced defensive back for a workout on Tuesday.
Texans host veteran DB Jalen Mills for tryout https://t.co/RKZd2dOY5Z pic.twitter.com/gMJXrZPDXb
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) August 5, 2025
Texans Work Out Super Bowl-Winning DB Jalen Mills Before Preseason Opener
According to NFL.com's news roundup, the Texans brought in former Super Bowl-winning safety Jalen Mills for a workout on Tuesday. The results of the tryout are unknown; however, it's clear that Houston isn't satisfied with its secondary situation just yet.
Other names who also received a workout include DB Harrison Hand, tight end Tre' McKitty, and offensive lineman Carter O'Donnell.
On top of his Super Bowl LII ring, Mills has experience stemming from 115 regular-season games (91 starts) and four playoff appearances. He's racked up 331 solo tackles, 59 disrupted passes, and eight interceptions during that stretch, and even tallied five broken-up passes and 10 solo tackles en route to winning the Lombardi Trophy with the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2017 campaign.
Whether it's with the Texans or another team, Mills is looking to prove himself after a disappointing 2024 season. He was released from the New York Giants before the preseason was even over, leading to his joining the New York Jets practice squad. He ended up playing only nine games for the Jets, and even missed the team's final three games due to a collarbone injury.
Even though the 2024 campaign was far from his best performance, Mills still finished with Pro Football Focus grades of 63.4 and 61.6 regarding overall defense and coverage, respectively. Those were his best outputs since 2021, suggesting that he could be a solid reserve hand to have if any of the Texans' DBs get hurt or need a breather during a game. After all, Mills does have experience as a safety and cornerback.
The Texans are projected to have one of the NFL's best defenses, and Mills' presence could put the unit over the top. With how quickly the offseason is unfolding, it won't be long before fans know if the championship-winning DB is on his way to H-Town.