All-Time Texans QBs Ranked: Schaub #1, Watson #2

T.J. Yates

Houston Texans
Retired 5 Years In The NFL
T.J.'s
HAIR
9.9
HeyTC AI Rating

Questions about T.J. Yates or the Texans?

T.J. Yates Legacy

HEYTC AI
T.J. Yates was a fifth-round afterthought who became Houston's unlikely savior, the first UNC quarterback to start an NFL game and the fifth rookie ever to win a playoff game. His 2011 Wild Card victory over Cincinnati—a 31-10 demolition alongside rookie Andy Dalton—remains the franchise's signature moment, even if his arm talent never quite matched the moment's magnitude. A 55.2% completion percentage and 70.7 passer rating told the real story: Yates was a backup's backup who got his shot and made the most of it, proving sometimes the best quarterbacks aren't the most talented ones, just the ones who show up when it matters. He's now back in Atlanta as a coach, still part of the game he briefly electrified.

T.J. Yates Rating Breakdown

Season
Subpar
Fantasy
Average
Playoffs
Non-Factor
Overall
NPC
5 years with the Texans

T.J. Yates Career Stats via Wikipedia

2,057 Pass Yards
10 Touchdowns
11 INTs
55.2% Comp %
9.9 HAIR
4-6 Record

Frequently Asked Questions About T.J. Yates

How does C.J. Stroud compare to T.J. Yates?

C.J. Stroud towers over T.J. Yates like a rocket ship next to a tricycle in Texans lore—Yates' 2,057 yards and 10 TDs as a spot starter pale against Stroud's poised command as the franchise's true heir. Yates sparked that 2011 playoff miracle run, but Stroud's got the arm, brain, and moxie for Sundays, not just emergencies.

Is T.J. Yates in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Nah, T.J. Yates ain't in Canton—no bust, no gold jacket, just a solid footnote for that rookie playoff upset over the Bengals in 2012. With 2,057 career yards and a 70.7 rating across spot duty for Houston, he's the ultimate journeyman, not Hall material. Legends like Andre Johnson carried the load.

What is T.J. Yates doing now in 2026?

As of early 2026, T.J. Yates is grinding as an assistant coach with the Falcons, dipping into racing gigs on the side after hanging up his cleats. No broadcasting empire or charity headlines popping, but the guy's channeling that 2011 Texans grit into schematics—think clipboard over center stage now.

How would T.J. Yates perform in today's NFL?

Yates' game—quick reads, sneaky mobility, that 55% completion clip—might carve a bigger niche today with pass-happy rules and RPOs everywhere. His 2011 Bengals playoff dagger to Andre Johnson screams modern fit, but accuracy woes (70.7 rating) cap him as a savvy backup, not a starter stealing jobs.

How does T.J. Yates compare to Matt Schaub?

Matt Schaub lapped T.J. Yates in the Texans QB race—31.68 rating to Yates' measly 9.85 over spot starts, with Schaub's surgical precision fueling those 2011-13 AFC South crowns. Yates was the panic-button hero for one playoff gem, but Schaub owned Sundays like a surgeon, not a substitute.