Jan. 5: The Texans defeat the Cincinnati Bengals 19-13 at Reliant Stadium for the second-consecutive Wild Card playoff victory in franchise history. By accessing any information beyond this page, you agree to abide by the HoustonTexans.com Privacy Policy, Code of Conduct, and Terms and Conditions. From 1995 to 1998, Capers was the head coach of the then-expansion Carolina Panthers. June 14: The Texans announce contract extensions for head coach Gary Kubiak and general manager/ executive vice president Rick Smith. On March 16, 1999, the NFL owners, by a 29–2 vote, approved a resolution to award Los Angeles the expansion 32nd franchise. The Carr-to-Johnson combination again proved to be formidable, as Andre Johnson led the league in receptions with 103 and was selected to his second Pro Bowl. And how did a historic four-year, $156 million contract extension — a mutual agreement between the Texans and 25-year-old franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson — become … A big part of Texans franchise history walked out the door on Wednesday with Jamey Rootes resigning as team president. The Texans came out flat and unprepared, however, and fell to the Browns 22–14. Mathis was Houston's only player in 2005 to be selected to the Pro Bowl. By drafting Williams, the Texans addressed their greatest need, yet it would turn out to be a public relations nightmare that would haunt them for much of the 2006 season. Copyright © 2019 Houston Texans. After a 3–4 start that included an offensive shootout between Watson and Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks, the Texans struggled after being forced to play Savage and T. J. Yates in Watson's stead, finishing with a 4–12 record. Despite lengthy injuries to Matt Schaub (replaced by T. J. Yates), Mario Williams, and Andre Johnson, the Texans went 10–6 in 2011 and won the AFC South to advance to the playoffs, both firsts in franchise history. After making the playoffs in four of five seasons, the Texans collapsed to 4-12 in 2020. Feb. 3: DE J.J. Watt is named the 2017 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year after launching a campaign that raised more than $37 million in 19 days for Hurricane Harvey relief. Dec. 19: DE/OLB Jadeveon Clowney and WR DeAndre Hopkins are named to the 2018 Pro Bowl after standout seasons. The fearsome pass rusher was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2012, 2014 and 2015. NFL Properties conducts television and photo testing of the logo as well. Mar. Aug. 15: The NFL announces its new schedule rotation for 2002. The professional American football team now known as the Tennessee Titans previously played in Houston, Texas as the Houston Oilers from its founding in 1960 to 1996 before relocating to Memphis, and later Nashville, Tennessee becoming the Titans. Okoye did not turn 20 until June 10, 2007. Oct. 27: Tagliabue announces that NFL owners will have a decision on the league's newest expansion team by April. They lost the next two in embarrassing fashion before awarding Kubiak his first career victory with a win over the Miami Dolphins in week four. They miss the playoffs on a tiebreaker with the New York Jets. Sept. 9: The Texans overcome the largest deficit in team history, rallying from a 28-7 hole to come back and defeat the San Diego Chargers 31-28 in the team's season opener on Monday Night Football. May 12: Texans LB Brian Cushing retains the Associated Press 2009 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award after an unprecedented re-vote. The season was deemed a success despite David Carr being sacked an NFL record 76 times and the realization that Tony Boselli, the man they had hoped would protect their young quarterback, would never play a down of football for the team. Jan. 7: OLB Whitney Mercilus wins the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for December after recording 17 tackles (10 solo), 5.5 sacks, 7 quarterback hits, three tackles for loss, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and one pass defensed in five games. Focus groups were formed across the state to determine the image and direction for the franchise. The Houston Texans released the following players: Duke Johnson and Nick Martin. Okoye becomes the fourth consecutive defensive lineman taken in the first round by the Texans, joining DE Jason Babin, DT Travis Johnson and DE Mario Williams. While efforts to get an NHL team in Houston faltered, McNair made his decision to set his sights higher and founded Houston NFL Holdings. Despite losing their opening game against the New York Jets, the Texans went 5-3 through the first half of the season including a victory over division rival the Tennessee Titans in week 2. The Texans suffered close losses in the next 4 games before closing out with 4 consecutive wins. The team agreed to terms with running back Buddy Howell on a new one-year contract. 02/23. Now committed to the task at hand, McNair and Houston got an immediate morale boost in October 1997, when the NFL Stadium Committee reported to Commissioner Paul Tagliabue on the current attractiveness of Cleveland, Los Angeles, and Houston. After five long seasons, Houston was at last ready to rejoin the league. April 24: The Texans select twice in the first round of the NFL Draft for the first time in club history, using the 10th pick to select South Carolina CB Dunta Robinson and trading up to get Tennessee's first-round pick (27th overall), where Houston selected Western Michigan LB Jason Babin. Jan. 1: The Texans sell out their 100th consecutive home game, including regular season and preseason contests, with a crowd of 71,512 for their regular-season finale against the Tennnessee Titans. Prior to the season, Houston abruptly fired general manager Brian Gaine after just over one year with the team. Sept. 15: The Texans win their second straight game in thrilling fashion, defeating the Tennessee Titans 30-24 in overtime. Johnson recorded 41 receptions for 593 yards in four games during the month. The Texans lost 34–16.[19]. 1 overall draft pick in team history. Sept. 25: The Texans unveil their team uniforms before a crowd of 12,000 fans in downtown Houston. The company did well for a time, but with three of its principals dropping out the venture came to an end in 2006. The Texans also sent three players to the Pro Bowl: Andre Johnson, Mario Williams, and Owen Daniels. Sept. 9: The Texans sign QB Matt Schaub to a multi-year contract extension. In an interview with the Houston Chronicle, local entrepreneur and San Diego Padres owner John J. Moores, whose name was often attached to efforts to return the NFL to Houston, said that the city's football fans would be in for a long, dry spell without football and that he did not foresee another league expansion in the next 10 years. Little did the Texans realize that their 2nd of two 3rd round picks in the 2008 NFL Draft, acquired via trade, would be one of their two best offensive players in 2008. Jan. 5: The Texans record a 22-19 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills at home in the AFC Wild Card Round to advance to the Divisional Round of the playoffs for the fourth time in team history. The sessions are conducted not just in Houston, but in Galveston, Austin, Beaumont, San Antonio and Corpus Christi as well. Yates threw for 300 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner to WR Kevin Walter with two seconds remaining. Sherman replaces Troy Calhoun, who left after the season to become head coach at the Air Force Academy. Dec. 16: QB T.J. Yates is named NFL Rookie of the Week after leading the Texans to victory in Week 14 at Cincinnati. The Texans did not request permission to interview Saleh at any time. The plan impresses the NFL, but the league remains concerned about a lack of financial planning for the proposed project. June 3: In a two-hour meeting with Tagliabue, McNair is encouraged to step up his efforts for an expansion team. Owner Bob McNair died during the season on November 23, 2018, passing ownership of the team to his wife Janice and son Cal. [23] The role has since remained vacant. After a loss to Dallas, two of the next four games would be against division rival Jacksonville – and Houston beat them both times. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Jan. 18: T Duane Brown, DE J.J. Watt and RB Arian Foster were selected to the 2015 Pro Bowl, making it the seventh consecutive season the Texans have had at least three players make the Pro Bowl. April 27: The Texans trade up 13 spots to select Clemson QB Deshaun Watson with the 12th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. The team won two AFL championships before joining the NFL as … During the next two seasons, the Texans made steady progress.