The Houston Texans are entering territory that they haven't been in often during their franchise's history. Let's be honest real quick - the short history they do have is more bad than good. They have had more bad seasons than good, and I'm not sure anyone would argue that. But, this is different, and it certainly feels much different. 2024 feels like a season that can be the Texans' best ever.
The Texans were great last season. They went from being a three-win team in 2022, to getting a rookie head coach, rookie offensive play caller, and a rookie quarterback, but managed to win their first playoff game since 2019. Not only that, but they made it hard on the Baltimore Ravens in the first half of that playoff game, and that's a team that people thought could win it all.
Then comes this offseason, and the Texans go the relentless route in terms of free agency and the NFL draft, and add players that are going to make them a force in the AFC. As things currently stand, the Texans are looking like one of the few teams in the AFC that can compete with the Kansas City Chiefs.
And, the players know what they are getting into for the 2024 season. They believe that they can do great things. One veteran has the utmost confidence considering the things he has seen.
“I’m going on my fourth year in Houston. I’ve seen the evolution of the team and the organization just being here for those first couple of years and seeing where it’s at now, knowing my capability and what I can bring to the team, why not be here with Houston? We’re an up-and-coming team and we’re here to stay. We’re just getting ready for the season and I’m here. Just honestly, it’s all about staying focused on the goal. We know what kind of team we have," defensive back Desmond King said during his youth camp, via Aaron Wilson of KCPR2.
"That said, you see it every day in the locker room. It’s what we do when we go out there on that field. Yeah, we have the noise. We have the hype behind us, but that’s not out there on that practice field when we’re out there working. That’s what it’s about. We’re out there putting blood, sweat, and tears in every day. We know what we have and we’ve got to believe in what we have, and that’s what really matters.”
The Texans are set up to have some pretty good success for a pretty long time. They have C.J. Stroud on his rookie contract, and if he plays even a tad bit better next season he is still a top-five quarterback. And, they s pent some money this offseason to lock up cornerstone players for years. It's almost the same thing the Chiefs have done during their dynasty build.
And, most importantly, the Texans have one of the best young head coaches in the league in DeMeco Ryans, who seems to have everyone bought into the culture. With that, this team can indeed be here to stay.
