The History of the Houston Texans.

The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team was established in 2002 as an expansion team and joined the National Football League (NFL) as the league's 32nd franchise. Since then, the Texans have become essential to the Houston sports landscape and the NFL.

Houston residents were unhappy about losing their NFL team, and efforts began almost immediately to bring a new franchise to the city. In 1999, the NFL announced that Houston would be one of the two cities awarded an expansion team, along with the city of Charlotte, North Carolina.

The team was officially named the Houston Texans in September 2000 after a fan vote that included several other options, such as the Apollos, Stallions, and Wildcatters. The team's logo featured a bull's head with a lone star, a nod to the state of Texas flag.

The Texans' first head coach was Dom Capers, who had previously been the head coach of the Carolina Panthers. Capers was known for his defensive expertise and was tasked with building a team from scratch. The team's first draft pick was quarterback David Carr, who was selected with the first overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft.

The Texans struggled in their first few seasons, winning just four games in their inaugural season and seven in their second season. One of the team's challenges was needing more talent on offense and defense, as the team was forced to build from scratch and needed the benefit of established players or a solid foundation.

Another challenge the team faced was playing in the AFC South division, which included established groups like the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans. The Texans struggled against these teams in their early years, as they were still building a competitive team.

Despite the team's struggles on the field, the Texans quickly became essential to the Houston community. The team's home stadium, NRG Stadium, was built with the help of public funds and was seen as a symbol of Houston's commitment to bringing professional football back to the city.

In conclusion, the early years of the Houston Texans were marked by the challenges of starting a franchise from scratch. The team's struggles on the field were offset by the enthusiasm and dedication of the Houston community, who saw the Texans as a symbol of the city's resilience and determination.

Sources:

• "Houston Texans History." Pro Football Hall of Fame. https://www.profootballhof.com/teams/houston-texans/history/

• "Houston Texans Team History." NFL.com. https://www.nfl.com/teams/houston-texans/team-history/

• "Texans History." Houston Chronicle. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texans/history/

The Gary Kubiak era of the Houston Texans began in 2006 when Kubiak was hired as the team's second head coach. Kubiak was a former NFL quarterback and had served as the offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos before taking the job in Houston.

One of Kubiak's first moves as head coach was to bring in quarterback Matt Schaub from the Atlanta Falcons. Schaub had previously worked with Kubiak in Atlanta and was seen as a critical piece in building the Texans' offense.

Under Kubiak's guidance, the Texans began showing signs of improvement on offense and defense. The team had its first winning season in 2009, finishing with a 9-7 and narrowly missing the playoffs. The group followed that up with a playoff appearance in 2011, winning their first-ever game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

One of the key players during this era was defensive end J.J. Watt, who was drafted by the Texans in 2011. Watt quickly became one of the best defensive players in the league, earning multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards and helping to lead the Texans' defense to new heights.

Despite the team's success under Kubiak, there were challenges and setbacks. The group sometimes struggled with injuries and inconsistency, and some criticized Kubiak for being too conservative in his play-calling.

In 2013, the Texans suffered a disastrous season, finishing with a record of 2-14 and earning the first overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Kubiak was fired as head coach at the end of the season, ending his eight-year tenure with the team.

Despite the disappointing end to Kubiak's time in Houston, his tenure is remembered as a time of significant improvement and progress for the Texans. Under Kubiak's guidance, the team built a solid foundation and established itself as a competitive force in the AFC South division.

Sources:

• "Houston Texans History." Pro Football Hall of Fame. https://www.profootballhof.com/teams/houston-texans/history/

• "Gary Kubiak." Houston Texans. https://www.houstontexans.com/team/coaches-roster/gary-kubiak

• "Matt Schaub." Houston Texans. https://www.houstontexans.com/team/history/historical-roster/matt-schaub

"J.J. Watt." Houston Texans. https://www.houstontexans.com/team/players-roster/j-j-watt/

The Bill O'Brien era of the Houston Texans began in 2014 when O'Brien was hired as the team's third head coach. O'Brien had previously been the head coach at Penn State and was known for his offensive expertise.

One of O'Brien's first moves as head coach was to draft Jadeveon Clowney with the first overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Clowney was seen as a potential superstar on defense, and many analysts believed he would help to solidify the Texans' defense for years to come.

Under O'Brien's guidance, the Texans continued to be a competitive team, making the playoffs several times and winning several division titles. One of the key players during this era was quarterback Deshaun Watson, who was drafted by the Texans in 2017.

Watson emerged as a franchise quarterback, setting several team records and earning Pro Bowl honors in his rookie season. Watson continued to play at a high level in the following seasons, helping to lead the Texans to several playoff appearances and a division title in 2018.

Despite the team's success on the field, there were challenges and controversies during O'Brien's tenure. One of the most significant controversies was O'Brien's decision to trade star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals in 2020. Fans and analysts widely criticized the move, and many questioned O'Brien's ability to lead the team.

The Texans struggled during the 2020 season, and O'Brien was fired as head coach and general manager after just four games. The team finished the season with a 4-12, earning the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

The Texans have hired Nick Caserio as their new general manager and David Culley as their new head coach. The team is currently rebuilding, and many questions surround the team's future, including the status of Deshaun Watson, who has requested a trade from the group.

Despite the challenges and controversies of the post-Kubiak era, the Texans remain essential to the Houston community and the NFL. With a dedicated fan base and a talented roster of players, the Texans have the potential to be a competitive team for years to come.

Sources:

• "Houston Texans History." Pro Football Hall of Fame. https://www.profootballhof.com/teams/houston-texans/history/

• "Bill O'Brien." Houston Texans. https://www.houstontexans.com/team/coaches-roster/bill-o-brien

• "Jadeveon Clowney." Houston Texans. https://www.houstontexans.com/team/history/historical-roster/jadeveon-clowney

"Deshaun Watson." Houston Texans. https://www.houstontexans.com/team/players-roster/deshaun-watson/

The future of the Houston Texans is still being determined, as the team is currently rebuilding and facing several challenges on and off the field. Here are some of the critical factors that will determine the future of the Texans: 

The 2020 season was difficult for the Texans, as the team struggled on the field and faced several controversies off the field. Head coach and general manager Bill O'Brien was fired after just four games, and the team finished the season with a record of 4-12. 

The Texans hired Nick Caserio as their new general manager in January 2021. Caserio previously worked for the New England Patriots and is known for his scouting and player evaluation expertise. Caserio will be responsible for building the team's roster and helping guide the group through rebuilding. 

The Texans also hired David Culley as their new head coach in January 2021. Culley had previously been an assistant coach for several teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs. Culley will be responsible for leading the section on the field and developing young players. 

One of the most significant factors impacting the Texans' future is quarterback Deshaun Watson's uncertain status. Watson has requested a trade from the team and is currently facing several lawsuits alleging sexual assault and misconduct. The outcome of these lawsuits will significantly impact Watson's future with the team. 

The Texans are rebuilding and must make several critical decisions to become a competitive team again in the coming years. This will likely involve drafting and developing young players and making strategic acquisitions in free agency and the trade market.

In conclusion, the future of the Houston Texans is uncertain as the team navigates a rebuilding phase and several challenges both on and off the field. However, with a talented roster of players and dedicated leadership, the Texans have the potential to be a competitive team in the future.

Sources:

• "Houston Texans History." Pro Football Hall of Fame. https://www.profootballhof.com/teams/houston-texans/history/

• "Nick Caserio." Houston Texans. https://www.houstontexans.com/team/coaches-roster/nick-caserio

• "David Culley." Houston Texans. https://www.houstontexans.com/team/coaches-roster/david-culley

"Deshaun Watson." Houston Texans. https://www.houstontexans.com/team/players-roster/deshaun-watson/

The Houston Texans have a relatively short history compared to some of the other NFL teams, but their impact on the league and the city of Houston cannot be understated. Here are some key takeaways from the Texans' history:

The Texans were established in 2002 as an expansion team in the NFL after Houston had been without a team since the Oilers moved to Nashville in 1997.

The early years of the Texans were marked by the challenges of building a team from scratch, but the group quickly became an essential part of the Houston community.

The Gary Kubiak era saw significant improvement and progress for the Texans, including their first winning season and playoff appearance.

The Bill O'Brien and post-Kubiak era was marked by success on the field, as well as controversies and challenges off the field.

The future of the Texans is uncertain as the team navigates a rebuilding phase and several challenges both on and off the field.

Despite the challenges and setbacks, the Texans remain essential to the Houston community and the NFL. With a dedicated fan base and a talented roster of players, the Texans have the potential to be a competitive team for years to come.

In conclusion, the history of the Houston Texans is a testament to the resilience and determination of the team and the city of Houston. From the challenges of building a team from scratch to the successes on the field and the future uncertainties, the Texans have proven to be a valuable addition to the NFL and an essential part of the Houston community.

Sources:

• "Houston Texans History." Pro Football Hall of Fame. https://www.profootballhof.com/teams/houston-texans/history/

• "Texans History." Houston Chronicle. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texans/history/

• "Houston Texans Team History." NFL.com. https://www.nfl.com/teams/houston-texans/team-history/