It's the year 2025, a nice round number of years thus far into this century, and you know what that gives us? Quarter century superlatives! The best THIS of the century thus far, the best THAT of the century thus far, and the greatest thing of all — All Quarter Century teams across the major sports! WOO HOO!
Hey, I'm a total sucker for awards, accolades, and superlatives, so if there is an article with a quarter century team or set of awards, I'll read it. Beyond that, certainly, if given an opportunity to create an All Quarter Century team of my own, well let's go!
The Houston Texans haven't even been around this full quarter century. They started playing football in 2002, so technically, I should probably call this the All Time Houston Texans team, but quarter century just sounds cooler. So, without further ado, here is the Houston Texans All Quarter Century Team!
Quarterback – Matt Schaub
Quarterback would be a much easier selection if things didn't end the way they did with Deshaun Watson. Watson was unquestionably more spectacular in three seasons than Schaub was in seven seasons. C.J. Stroud will overtake both with just a couple more division crowns and playoff wins. For now, Schaub's steady hand on the first group of Texans to make the playoffs, and a couple Pro Bowl appearances, is enough to slot him here. The clock is ticking, though, on Stroud taking the spot.
Running Back – Arian Foster, Domanick Williams
We will include two running backs. Foster, when healthy, is one of the best running backs I've ever watched play, and he is, by far, the leading rusher in franchise history. Williams was one of the few good things about the early era Texans offensively. He is the team's second all time leading rusher.
Fullback – Vonta Leach
I wouldn't include a fullback, except that Leach made a Pro Bowl at the position, and even had a catchy slogan encouraging Texan fans to vote for him for the Pro Bowl. Send Leach to the beach!
Wide Receiver – Andre Johnson, DeAndre Hopkins, Nico Collins
Andre Johnson is in the Hall of Fame. I don't need to explain his case for the Texans' All Quarter Century team, nor do I need to explain Hopkins' case, with his three first team All Pro berths. I'm adding a third receiver here to acknowledge Collins, who has rapidly become the fifth all time leader in receiving yards as a Texan, and has elite traits, just like Johnson and Hopkins.
Tight End – Owen Daniels
Daniels is one of the names above Collins on the all time receiving yards list for the Texans, third behind just Johnson and Hopkins. This is the easiest selection on the board. Daniels was an absolutely indispensable piece on the first two Texans playoff teams in 2011 and 2012.
Tackle – Duane Brown, Laremy Tunsil
Guard – Chester Pitts, Wade Smith
Center – Chris MyersI know seeing Tunsil's name on here will frustrate some Texans fans, whose most vivid Tunsil memories are probably a slew of false starts, but he did make five Pro Bowls. In fact, Brown and Tunsil are the only tackles in Texans history to make the Pro Bowl, so that's an easy one. Pitts was a steady regular for the team's first eight seasons, and Smith made the Pro Bowl in 2012. Myers was the centerpiece of the Kubiak offensive lines, the brains of the operation, and a Pro Bowler himself.
Defensive End – J.J. Watt, Will Anderson
Defensive Tackle – D.J. Reader, Gary Walker
Again, I'm giving a younger Texan some shine here, but Anderson has been outstanding his first two seasons, has made meaningful plays in meaningful games, so YES, I'm putting him in over Mario Williams. J.J. Watt is the Andre Johnson of the defense. Reader slowly ascended to one of the most underrated defensive tackles in the league, before leaving for Cincinnati for BIG money after the 2019 season. Gary Walker made the Pro Bowl in the franchise's inaugural campaign.
Inside Linebacker – DeMeco Ryans, Brian Cushing
Outside Linebacker — Jadeveon Clowney, Mario Williams
Okay, I'm throwing Clowney and Williams in here as outside linebackers. Are you Mario people happy? Technically, Williams was listed as an outside linebacker in Wade Phillips' defense in 2011, so I'll get him on here on that technicality. Clowney was a three time Pro Bowler, and needs to be on here somewhere. Ryans is the best inside linebacker in team history, and Cushing was on his way to an elite NFL career before the knee injuries.
Cornerback – Johnathan Joseph, Derek Stingley, Aaron Glenn
Safety – Danieal Manning, Justin Reid, Glover Quin
I'm going with three cornerbacks and three safeties for this All Quarter Century team. It's my team, I can do what I want! Stingley's 2024 season alone gets him on the team, by far the greatest season for a corner in franchise history. Joseph was a steady, if not spectacular, force for the Texans for nearly a decade. Like Walker on the defensive line, Glenn was one of the first Pro Bowlers in franchise history.
Specialists – Ka’imi Fairbairn, Cam Johnston, Jon Weeks
Fairbairn is the team's all time leading scorer, and in the Texans' resurgence, his last second heroics have been quite common, with last second field goals in wins over the Bengals, Titans, and Bills. Johnston is kind of an upset pick, given future Hall of Famer Shane Lechler finished his career with five seasons in Houston in 2017, but Johnson was quite literally the only good thing about the 2021 and 2022 Texans. He was exceptional. Jon Weeks is a legend. That is all.
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