Matt Schaub
The steady arm that guided the Texans from expansion obscurity to their first division title and playoff appearance.
Matt Schaub is a foundational figure in Houston Texans history, serving as the franchise's first quarterback to lead the team to the playoffs and establish a passing identity during its formative years. Acquired from the Atlanta Falcons in 2007 for second-round picks in 2007 and 2008, he became the long-term starter after the Texans released David Carr. His tenure defined an era where the Texans transitioned from a rebuilding expansion team into a legitimate contender in the AFC South, culminating in the team's first division title and playoff appearance in 2011.
- Role
- Quarterback
- Affiliation
- Houston Texans (2007–2013)
- First Playoff Appearance
- Led team to first-ever playoff berth in 2011
- Key Achievement
- First Texans QB to throw for over 4,000 yards in a season
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Matt Schaub's arrival in Houston marked the beginning of a period defined by precision, patience, and high-volume passing. Before Schaub, the Texans struggled with quarterback instability; his calm demeanor and accuracy provided the consistency necessary to build an offense around Andre Johnson. He led the league in passing yards (4,770), completions (396), yards per game (298), and passing attempts (583) in 2009, compiling a quarterback rating of 98.6. He was selected to his first Pro Bowl as an injury replacement to Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, winning MVP honors. In 2010, he threw for 497 yards in an overtime victory over the Washington Redskins on September 19, 2010.
In Their Own Story
The air inside Reliant Stadium was thick with anticipation on December 4, 2011. It was the final game of the regular season, and everything rested on Matt Schaub's shoulders. With the division title within reach against the Titans, he stepped into the pocket, scanning a defense that had been chasing him all year. He didn't panic; instead, he delivered a crisp, perfect spiral to Andre Johnson down the sideline. The crowd erupted as the ball hit the turf in the end zone, sealing the AFC South crown and sending Houston to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
Reader's Guide
Offensively, Schaub's milestones are defined by volume and efficiency rather than explosive single-game heroics alone. He set multiple franchise records during his tenure, including career passing yards, touchdown passes, and completions, all of which stood as benchmarks for years after his departure. His most significant achievement remains the 2011 season, where he helped guide the Texans to their first ever playoff appearance and clinched the first division title in Texans franchise history. He started all 10 of the first regular season games, helping his team reach a 7–3 record, the best start after 10 weeks in franchise history. In terms of consistency, Schaub holds the record for consecutive starts by a Texans quarterback during his era. His ability to avoid turnovers was critical to Gary Kubiak's offensive scheme, ensuring that the ball stayed on the field longer than any other quarterback in the team's early history.
Did You Know?
- Schaub led the NFL in passing yards (4,770) in 2009, the first Texans quarterback to do so.
- He was selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2009 as an injury replacement for Tom Brady and won MVP honors.
- In Week 6 of 2008, Schaub set the Texans franchise record for passing yards with 379 in a comeback win against the Miami Dolphins, scoring the winning touchdown on a quarterback draw with 3 seconds left.
- Schaub threw for 497 yards in an overtime victory over the Washington Redskins on September 19, 2010.
- He helped the Texans achieve their first .500 season in franchise history (8–8) in 2007.
More in Records & Achievements
Elsewhere in the Houston Texans universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record