<P> On March 9, 2016, the Texans signed former Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler to a 4 - year, $72 million deal . Despite Osweiler's lucrative deal, he struggled significantly during the entire season . After throwing two interceptions in Week 15 against the Jaguars, coach Bill O'Brien benched the offseason acquisition in favor of backup quarterback Tom Savage . Savage led a comeback effort against the Jaguars, and was named the starter for the remainder of the season . The Texans clinched their fourth AFC South division title in six years in Savage's first career start against the Bengals in Week 16 . They defeated the wildcard Oakland Raiders 27--14 in the opening round of the playoffs with Osweiler as the starting quarterback due to Savage being out with a concussion . Osweiler started in the Divisional Playoffs game against the New England Patriots, throwing three interceptions in the second half . The Texans lost 34--16 . </P> <P> On March 2, 2000, Houston NFL 2002 announced that the team name search had been narrowed down to five choices: Apollos, Bobcats, Stallions, Texans, and Wildcatters . The list of names was determined after several months of research conducted jointly by Houston NFL 2002 and NFL Properties . An online survey regarding the name generated more than 65,000 responses in just seven days . </P> <P> On September 6, 2000, the NFL's 32nd franchise was officially christened the Houston Texans before thousands at a downtown rally in Houston . McNair explained that the name and logo "embody the pride, strength, independence and achievement that make the people of Houston and our area special ." The nickname "Texans" was more recently used by the now - defunct Canadian Football League franchise in San Antonio; the Texans had previously been the name of a former World Football League franchise in Houston, which moved to Louisiana to become the Shreveport Steamer; the Dallas Texans of the NFL which only played in the 1952 season; and the nickname was also used by the precursor of the present - day Kansas City Chiefs, when they were the Dallas Texans of the American Football League (AFL). Owner Bob McNair did have to make a deal with Chiefs' owner Lamar Hunt to use the Texans nickname for his new team . </P> <P> Along with the team name, McNair also unveiled the team logo, an abstract depiction of a bull's head, split in such a way to resemble the flag of Texas and the state of Texas, including a lone star to stand for the eye, the five points of which representing pride, courage, strength, tradition and independence . McNair described the colors as "Deep Steel Blue", "Battle Red" and "Liberty White". A year later the Texans unveiled their uniforms during another downtown rally . </P>

Where did the houston texans name come from