2001 Expansion Draft
The youngest franchise in the NFL, the Houston Texans have won eight AFC South titles but have never appeared in a Super Bowl.
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston. The Texans compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) South division. The team plays its home games at Reliant Stadium. The Texans were founded in 1999, replacing the city's previous NFL franchise, the Houston Oilers, who played from 1960 to 1996 before moving to Nashville and eventually becoming the Tennessee Titans. The Texans began play as an expansion team in 2002, making them the youngest franchise currently competing in the NFL.
Quick Facts
- Total players selected
- 19
Lore & Background
The Texans were founded in 1999 after the NFL awarded the 32nd team to Houston at a cost of $700 million. They joined the NFL in the 2002 season under head coach Dom Capers. The team has won AFC South division championships in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2023, and 2024. They were the only franchise to have never won a road playoff game until they defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 30–6 in the 2025 AFC Wild Card playoffs. They are one of four franchises to have never appeared in a Super Bowl, alongside the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, and division rival Jacksonville Jaguars. Bob McNair owned the Texans until his death in 2018, after which the majority ownership went to his wife, Janice. Their son, Cal, became operating head of the franchise upon his father's death, and became principal owner when his mother transferred ownership to him in 2024.
Reader's Guide
The Texans play their home games at Reliant Stadium. They are a member of the AFC South division. The team's history includes the McNair family era (2002–present), the Gary Kubiak years (2006–2013), and the Bill O'Brien years (2014–2020). Key players mentioned include J. J. Watt, DeAndre Hopkins, Deshaun Watson, and Brock Osweiler.
Did You Know?
- The Texans became the first expansion team to win its opening game since the Minnesota Vikings in 1961, defeating the Dallas Cowboys on September 8, 2002.
- The Texans' 14-game losing streak in 2013 is the worst in franchise history.
- After the Texas Rangers won the 2023 World Series, the Houston Texans became the only big four professional sports franchise currently based in Texas without a championship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly was the 2001 Expansion Draft?
It was the specific NFL event held to populate the Houston Texans roster before their first season. Teams were required to expose players under specific protection rules for selection by the new franchise.
How many players were selected during the event?
The Texans chose a total of 43 players from existing rosters across the league. These selections formed the initial core group that would compete in their inaugural campaign.
Who was hired as the first head coach for the team?
Gary Kubiak was appointed to lead the franchise shortly after the expansion draft concluded. He worked to integrate the new roster and establish the team's on-field identity.
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