The Tennessee Titans officially came to be in 1999 but the franchise has a long and storied history that goes back to 1960. Long known as the Houston Oilers, the franchise called Texas home until 1997 when they became the Tennessee Oilers. A few years later, they changed their name to become the NFL franchise we know today.
While the Titans have had their fair share of great players, the Oilers of the 70s, 80s, and 90s also boasted some of the greatest players in NFL history.
Let’s take a look back at the history of the Oilers/Titans franchise to see who were the 10 best Tennessee Titans/Houston Oilers of all time.
10. Bum Phillips
Okay, normally our list only features players, but how can talk about this franchise and not talk about Bum Phillips? When we think about the Houston Oilers, the first name that comes to mind is Oail Andrew Phillps. With his thick Texas accent and Stetson cowboy hat, Phillips coached the Oilers for five years and took them to two AFC Championships, losing both times to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers. Phillips was the winningest coach in the franchise’s history until 2001 when Jeff Fisher passed him. Phillips may not make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but he’s a member of the Tennessee Titans Ring of Honor.
9. Ken Houston, safety
Ken Houston played with the Oilers for five years between 1967 and 1972. The 12-time Pro Bowler and 12-time All-Pro intercepted 49 passes, recovered 21 fumbles, gained 1,498 return yards, and scored 12 touchdowns throughout his career. He was named to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team and 100th Anniversary All-Time Team and was eventually inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
8. George Blanda, quarterback
George Blanda retired from football in 1958 but came back in 1960 to play quarterback for the Oilers from 1960 to 1966. During that time, he led the Oilers to the first two league titles in AFL history, was named All-AFL quarterback, and won AFL Player of the Year in 1961. During that season, he led the AFL in passing yards (3,330) and touchdown passes (36). Blanda also led the AFL in passing and passing attempts between 1963 and 1965. Blanda played 26 seasons of professional football between 1949 and 1975 and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
7. Bruce Matthews, offensive guard
Bruce Matthews was one of the best offensive guards to ever play the game. Matthews played for the Oilers and the Titans his whole NFL career from 1983 to 2001. A 14-time Pro Bowler, he was part of the NFL 1990s All-Decades team, the NFL 100 Anniversary team, and set the NFL record for most starts with one team (293). The franchise retired his number and he is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
6. Steve McNair, quarterback
Steve McNair was the original face of the Tennessee Titans. Air McNair arrived with the Oilers in 1995 and was the quarterback for the franchise when they moved to Tennessee. McNair spent 11 of his 13 NFL seasons with the franchise, leading the league in passer rating in 2003, garnering three Pro Bowls, and was named NFL co-MVP in 2003 as well. He also led the franchise to their lone Super Bowl appearance, though they fell just short (literally) against the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV. McNair finished his career with 31,304 passing yards, 211 total touchdowns, and 3,590 rushing yards.
5. Eddie George, running back
Along with McNair, another reason for the Titans’ success in the late 1990s and early 2000s was running back Eddie George. The 1995 Heisman Trophy winner was named Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1996 and became a four-time Pro Bowler. In his NFL career, the two-time All-pro rushed for 10,441 yards and 76 touchdowns (plus 10 more receiving). George still holds a lot of Titans rushing records and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
4. Robert Brazile, linebacker
Robert Brazile played college football alongside Walter Payton at Jackson State before joining the Houston Oilers as their No. 1 draft choice in 1975. Brazile was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year that year and he just kept playing well, garnering seven-straight Pro Bowls and six All-Pro nods. A key member of Oilers teams that went to back-to-back AFC Championship games, Brazile ended his career with over 1,200 tackles, 48 sacks, and 12 interceptions. He is a member of the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team.
3. Derrick Henry, running back
When Derrick Henry was recruited out of high school, most colleges wanted him to play linebacker because of his size, but Alabama coach Nick Saban knew that he was suited to play running back. Henry would go on and win the Heisman Trophy and was picked by the Titans in 2016. He has carried this franchise ever since. Henry is a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro who led the league in rushing yards twice and rushing touchdowns twice. The 2020 NFL Offensive Player of the Year rushed for 2,027 yards and 17 touchdowns that season alone. So far in his career he’s rushed for 9,502 yards and garnered 97 total touchdowns.
2. Warren Moon. quarterback
Warren Moon remains the best quarterback in franchise history. After starting his pro career in the Canadian Football League, Houston signed Moon in 1984 and he transformed the team. Moon would become one of the most prolific passers in NFL history, passing for over 49,000 yards and nearly 300 touchdowns. His best year came in 1990 when he threw for nearly 5,000 yards and 33 touchdowns. That same season he won NFL Offensive Player of the Year and led the NFL in passing. Moon went on to make nine Pro Bowls and his No. 1 has been retired by the franchise. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
1. Earl Campbell, running back
Probably the most beloved player in franchise history is the Tyler Rose himself, Earl Campbell. The Heisman Trophy winner was known for his tough running, quite literally carrying the franchise on his back in the 1970s and 1980s. Campbell was NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, NFL MVP, three-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year, five-time Pro-Powler, 3-time NFL rushing champ, two-time NFL touchdown leader, and a member of the NFL’s 1970s All-Decade team. Campbell rushed for over 9,400 yards and 74 touchdowns in his NFL career. He is now a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame.
