The Houston Texans have officially named their four captains for the 2026 season as they prepare for their Week 1 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. The team will be led by quarterback C.J. Stroud, defensive end Will Anderson, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, and defensive back Jalen Pitre.
This year's captaincy group features a slight change from last season, where the Texans had five captains. Notably, veteran running back Dare Ogunbowale is no longer with the team after being cut from the Las Vegas Raiders and is currently a free agent.
Pitre, however, is stepping into the captaincy role for the first time, taking the place of wide receiver Nico Collins, who was a captain last year but did not receive the designation this season.
The selection of captains reflects the culture established by head coach DeMeco Ryans, who has emphasized leadership within the locker room. The Texans have made efforts to bring in players with leadership experience, including safety Reed Blankenship, who was signed from the Philadelphia Eagles, and several drafted players who served as captains in college.
Each of the four captains has been with the Texans for at least three seasons, with Pitre being the longest-tenured, entering his fifth season with the team. The captains are expected to play a significant role in guiding the team as they head into the regular season.
