At the NFL Pro Bowl in February, many NFL stars approached Will Anderson Jr., expressing their interest in joining the Houston Texans. The team, under the leadership of head coach DeMeco Ryans, had metamorphosed from being a league bottom-dweller to an AFC contender within a year. Despite their keen interest, Anderson warned them that the Texans aren’t for everyone. The team has created a unique culture that doesn’t simply revolve around one’s football skills; it demands an unusual amount of character, love for football and unity off-field.
In 2024, the Texans will enter the season as one of the most anticipated teams in the NFL, hailed as a potential Super Bowl contender. Following a successful 2023 season during which the team won the AFC South for the first time in four years, the Texans have proactively built a star-studded roster. New additions include star wide receiver Stefon Diggs, running back Joe Mixon, and Pro Bowl edge rusher Danielle Hunter. Despite the heightened expectations, the team, led by Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio, is staunchly focused on the upcoming season.
Every member of the Texans is well aware that the team’s system is not for everyone. Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil asserted that to withstand the tough style of play practised under Ryans, extraordinary dedication and perseverance are needed. Ryans has fostered a “swarming mentality” within the team that ensures hard work, physical strength, and speed. The goal-driven attitude of the team separates them from others, thriving on the harsh conditions they practise in, which in Ryans’ view is the key to success.
Jalen Pitre, the team’s safety, attributes the uniqueness of Houston’s culture to its brutal honesty. At the Texans, players are motivated to face the truth about their performance, understand their roles and responsibilities, and strive for the betterment of the team. All members invariably understand the importance of their actions and their impacts on the team’s performance and hold themselves accountable.
Anderson’s policy of self-awareness is a prime example of the working philosophy within the Texans. When Anderson made a mistake in the field, it was promptly pointed out by Al-Shaair. Anderson appreciated Al-Shaair’s frankness, recognizing it as a necessary component for team improvement and success. Stroud echoed Anderson’s sentiment and takes pride in the team’s hardworking attitude. Coach DeMeco’s stern stance is supported by key players and leaders of the team, building a squad that is dedicated to the stringent expectations set by the management.
Ben Arthur, the AFC South reporter for FOX Sports, narrates the rapid transformation of the Texans. Having covered the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for three seasons (2018-20) prior to moving to Tennessee where he was the Titans beat writer for a year and a half, his insights bring to light the Texans’ brutally honest, hardworking, and culture-centered approach that has helped them quickly emerge from the bottom of the league, and establish itself as a major contender in NFL.
