| 2002 Houston Texans season | |
|---|---|
 Texans inaugural season logo | |
| Owner | Bob McNair |
| General manager | Charley Casserly |
| Head coach | Dom Capers |
| Offensive coordinator | Chris Palmer |
| Defensive coordinator | Vic Fangio |
| Home field | Reliant Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 4–12 |
| Division place | 4th AFC South |
| Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers | 2
|
The 2002 season was the Houston Texans' debut season in the National Football League and the first NFL season for the city of Houston since the Oilers moved to Tennessee in 1997 & became the Titans 2 years later in 1999. Their coaching staff was headed by Dom Capers, who previously coached the expansion Carolina Panthers when they debuted in 1995. The divisional realignment also placed the Texans and Titans in the same division.
The Texans won their inaugural regular season game against the Dallas Cowboys 19–10 on Sunday Night Football. They were the first to do this since the 1961 Minnesota Vikings won their inaugural game. The Texans finished their debut season with a 4–12 record.
Due to being an expansion franchise, the Texans were given the first overall pick in the 2002 NFL draft. Houston used the selection on Fresno State quarterback David Carr. Carr finished the season with 2,592 passing yards, setting the franchise record for most passing yards by a rookie in a single season. Carr's record would not be broken until 2021, when Davis Mills finished that season with 2,664 passing yards (a number since surpassed by C. J. Stroud's 4,108 in 2023).[1][2]
- ^ Sidhu, Deepi (January 9, 2022). "with 11 starts under his belt, Houston Texans QB Davis Mills has now solidified himself as the leading rookie passer in franchise history with 2,664 yards". Houston Texans. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
- ^ Wilson, Aaron (February 8, 2024). "Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud named Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after epic first season". KPRC-TV. Retrieved September 19, 2024.