HOUSTON — When the Houston Texans took on the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, the Week 14 interconference match was a Homecoming game at NRG Stadium to celebrate several franchise legends. Johnathan Joseph, who played for the Texans for eight consecutive seasons (2011-2019), was one of several legends in attendance and served as Houston’s Homefield Advantage Captain.
The last time Joseph suited up for the Texans, Houston sustained a 51-31 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs during the Divisional Round of the 2019 playoffs. Nearly 24 months later, the state of the franchise has experienced a complete 180 from Joseph’s final act as a Texan.
And following Houston’s 33-13 loss to the Seahawks, it is going to take some time before the Texans will be able to replicate the similar success Joseph experienced with the team.
“They have to base a foundation and build from there,” Joseph said. “When I was here, we did a lot of winning. It’s because they spent a lot of time building it up and making the right decisions. It’s about putting pieces together and building off it.”
“It’s a funny feeling walking down the hallways with the way things have changed. But it’s a special day for me to be back.”
Joseph was a vital part of the Texans’ success during the 2010s. In 133 games played while recording 118 pass deflections and 32 interceptions, Joseph helped the Texans sustain one of the NFL’s most fierce defensive teams — en route to capturing half a dozen division titles.
In an attempt to bring some hope amidst the Texans’ 2-11 season, Joseph illustrated that a rebuild does not indicate that a team will remain in football purgatory.
The two-time Pro Bowl cornerback recalled his final season with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010. The Bengals went 4-12 during the season. And similar to the Texans, their roster underwent a significant overhaul that offseason — which included starting quarterback Carson Palmer forcing his way to the then-Oakland Raiders.
The following year, the Bengals returned to the post-season with a 9-7 record, where they lost 31-10 to the Texans during the Wild Card round — Joseph’s fondest moment in Houston.
In addition to the team’s management putting the right pieces together, the development of the Texans’ younger players is correspondingly influential.
“You have to take it week-by-week and try not to be so critical of yourself,” he said. “If you can, go out and get a mentor. Someone who can slow the game down. The game has not change. But it is about guys being confident in their abilities.”