The Houston Texans are set to begin their 2026 regular season soon, and they have officially named their captains for the year. The team has selected four players to lead, which is one fewer than last season.
The captains for the upcoming season are quarterback C.J. Stroud, defensive end Will Anderson, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, and defensive back Jalen Pitre. This selection reflects some continuity from the previous year, although there are notable changes in personnel.
Veteran running back Dare Ogunbowale, who served as a captain last season, is no longer with the team after being cut from the Las Vegas Raiders and is currently a free agent. Jalen Pitre will be stepping into the captain role for the first time, replacing wide receiver Nico Collins, who was among last year's captains but has not been reappointed.
The decision-making process for selecting captains is influenced by the culture established by head coach DeMeco Ryans, who has emphasized the importance of leadership within the locker room. The Texans have actively sought out players with leadership qualities, having signed several former captains from other teams and drafted players who held captaincy roles in college.
This year, the Texans focused on retaining experienced players, as all four captains have been with the team for at least three seasons. Jalen Pitre is the longest-tenured captain, entering his fifth season with the Texans.
