Nominations Buzz Around Past of the Houston Texans

As the Houston Texans continue their 2024 playoff push, a different kind of excitement has emerged off the field: growing buzz around nominations honoring the franchise’s past. From former players in the running for the Pro Football Hall of Fame to ex-coaches being considered for legacy awards, these nominations shine a light on the Texans’ 21-year history—celebrating the figures who laid the groundwork for the team’s current success. What makes this buzz notable is its breadth: it spans on-field greatness, coaching innovation, and off-field community impact, reflecting the diverse contributions that have shaped the franchise. Nominations Buzz Around Past of the Houston Texans breaks down the key nominations generating talk, the stories behind the honorees, and how these recognitions bridge the Texans’ past and present.

Nominations Buzz Around Past of the Houston Texans first focuses on the Hall of Fame nomination buzz surrounding former defensive end J.J. Watt, widely regarded as the greatest player in franchise history. Watt, who played 10 seasons with the Texans (2011–2020), is eligible for the Hall of Fame for the first time in 2025, and early projections from NFL analysts and voters suggest he’s a near-lock for induction. His resume speaks for itself: three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards, five Pro Bowl selections, 101 career sacks (a Texans franchise record), and a reputation as one of the most dominant defensive players of his era. Beyond stats, Watt’s off-field impact—including raising over $41 million for Hurricane Harvey relief in 2017—has only boosted his case. “J.J. wasn’t just a player for the Texans—he was the face of the franchise, a community leader, and a role model,” said former Texans general manager Rick Smith, who drafted Watt in 2011. “His Hall of Fame nomination buzz isn’t just about his on-field greatness; it’s about what he meant to Houston. He’s the standard by which all future Texans will be measured.” The buzz has grown in recent months, with current Texans players like Will Anderson Jr. citing Watt as an inspiration and fans launching social media campaigns to highlight his legacy.

Complementing Watt’s Hall of Fame talk, Nominations Buzz Around Past of the Houston Texans details the growing buzz around former head coach Gary Kubiak for the Texans’ Ring of Honor. Kubiak, who led the Texans from 2006–2013, is the franchise’s winningest coach (61 regular-season wins) and the only coach to take the team to back-to-back AFC South titles (2011–2012) and playoff victories (2011, 2012). After stepping down due to health reasons in 2013, Kubiak went on to win a Super Bowl as head coach of the Denver Broncos, but his impact on the Texans remains lasting: he built the team’s first consistent winning culture, developed quarterback Matt Schaub into a Pro Bowler, and mentored current Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans (who played linebacker for Kubiak from 2006–2013). “Coach Kubiak taught us what it means to be a Texan—hard work, resilience, and loyalty to the community,” Ryans said in a recent interview. “He laid the foundation for everything we’re building now, and a Ring of Honor nomination is long overdue.” The buzz around Kubiak’s nomination has been fueled by fan petitions and support from former players, including Schaub and running back Arian Foster, who have publicly advocated for his induction.

Nominations Buzz Around Past of the Houston Texans also explores the nomination buzz for former running back Arian Foster, a key part of the Texans’ 2010s success, for the franchise’s All-Decade Team (2010–2019). Foster, who played seven seasons with the Texans (2009–2015), holds franchise records for career rushing yards (6,472), rushing touchdowns (54), and total touchdowns (64), and was a four-time Pro Bowler. His 2010 season—1,616 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns—remains one of the greatest individual seasons in Texans history, and his ability to combine power running with pass-catching (255 career receptions) made him a versatile threat. The buzz around his All-Decade Team nomination has grown as fans and analysts revisit his impact: he was the offensive engine of the Texans’ only two playoff-winning teams, and his leadership in the locker room helped shape the team’s identity. For the Houston Texans, honoring Foster with an All-Decade Team spot isn’t just about stats—it’s about recognizing a player who embodied the franchise’s fighting spirit during its early winning years. “Arian was more than a running back—he was a playmaker who could change the game with one carry or one catch,” said former Texans offensive coordinator Rick Dennison. “His nomination buzz is a reminder of the great teams we had in the 2010s, and how those teams paved the way for today’s success.”

Another layer of Nominations Buzz Around Past of the Houston Texans is the community impact nomination buzz surrounding former safety Andre Hal, who played six seasons with the Texans (2014–2019) and overcame Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2018 to return to the field. Hal, who retired in 2020, has since dedicated his time to supporting cancer research and helping young athletes with chronic illnesses through his “Andre Hal Foundation.” This year, he’s been nominated for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Legacy Award, which honors former players for their continued off-field impact. The buzz around Hal’s nomination has resonated deeply in Houston, where he’s a beloved figure for his courage and generosity. “Andre’s story is one of hope and resilience—he fought cancer and came back to play in the NFL, and now he’s fighting for others,” said Texans team president Greg Grissom. “His nomination isn’t just a tribute to his character; it’s a tribute to the Houston community that supported him through his hardest times.” For the Houston Texans, Hal’s nomination highlights the franchise’s long-standing commitment to community service—a value that current players like Will Anderson Jr. and C.J. Stroud continue to uphold.

Nominations Buzz Around Past of the Houston Texans also delves into the nomination buzz for the 2011 Texans team—Kubiak’s first playoff team—for the franchise’s “Team of the Decade” honor. That team, which finished 10–6, won the AFC South, and defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in the Wild Card Round (the first playoff win in franchise history), featured a dominant defense led by Watt and Ryans, and an offense anchored by Foster and Schaub. The buzz around this team’s nomination has grown as fans and former players reflect on its significance: it proved the Texans could compete with the NFL’s best, ending years of franchise futility and giving Houston its first taste of playoff success. “That 2011 team changed everything,” said former Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson, a Pro Football Hall of Famer himself. “Before that, we were a team that struggled to win meaningful games. That season, we proved we could be contenders. It set the bar for every Texans team that came after.” For the Houston Texans, honoring the 2011 team is a way to connect with long-time fans who stuck with the franchise through its early struggles—and to remind current players of the legacy they’re building on.

The final dimension of Nominations Buzz Around Past of the Houston Texans is how these nominations have sparked a broader conversation about the Texans’ history and its connection to the present. Current players have embraced the buzz, with Anderson Jr. visiting Watt’s old locker during training camp and Stroud studying film of Schaub’s leadership. Coaches, too, have leaned into the past: Ryans often references Kubiak’s “team-first” philosophy in team meetings, and defensive coordinator Matt Burke uses clips of Watt’s pass-rushing technique to teach young linemen. For the Houston Texans, these nominations aren’t just about looking back—they’re about using the past to inspire the future. “Legacy matters,” Ryans said. “When our players see J.J. getting Hall of Fame buzz, or Coach Kubiak being talked about for the Ring of Honor, it reminds them that they’re part of something bigger than themselves. They’re building on a history of greatness, and these nominations are a way to honor that history while pushing forward.” As the Texans chase a Super Bowl this season, the buzz around their past nominations serves as a reminder: success isn’t just about the present—it’s about honoring the figures who made that present possible.