Houston Oilers (NFL)

The Houston Oilers were a professional American football team in the National Football League (NFL). Founded in 1960 as the Titans and joining the NFL as part of the American Football League (AFL), the franchise later moved to Houston in 1968 and remained there through 1996 before relocating and becoming the Tennessee Titans. The Oilers’ history includes appearances in multiple AFC Championship Games and a strong run led by quarterback Earl Campbell.

The franchise began as the Tennessee Titans in 1960 and later played as the Oilers in the 1970s and 1980s. After the AFL–NFL merger, the team competed in the AFC and developed a reputation for physical offense and disciplined defense. In Houston, the Oilers became a longstanding NFL presence before the move to Tennessee.

Origins and AFL success (1960–1967)

The franchise was established in 1960 during the expansion of professional football leagues and initially played as the Tennessee Titans. Competing in the AFL, the team built early momentum and attracted fan support through competitive regular seasons and improved postseason performance. The Oilers’ foundational roster featured contributors who would shape the team’s identity in the years ahead.

During the mid-1960s, the club’s development culminated in a growing reputation as an AFL contender. This period also set the stage for future coaching and player-development strategies that became more visible once the team relocated.

Move to Houston and the Oilers identity (1968–1970s)

In 1968, the franchise relocated to Houston and adopted the Oilers name, marking the start of the team’s most recognizable era in the city. In the Houston market, the team played a central role in the local sports landscape and became a major NFL draw. The Oilers’ style of play blended short passing concepts with a heavy emphasis on the run.

A defining figure in this era was Earl Campbell, whose powerful rushing made him one of the league’s signature offensive players. Under this style and personnel core, the Oilers became regular postseason participants and established themselves as consistent AFC threats.

Postseason runs and AFC contention (1980–1990)

After the 1970s, the Oilers continued to compete at a high level in the AFC. The team’s postseason appearances reflected sustained roster quality and coaching continuity, including the presence of players who could impact both running games and pass coverage. The Oilers often faced strong opponents in the AFC, including teams with dominant defenses and prolific offenses.

Quarterback play and complementary receivers were important to the team’s ability to advance in the playoffs. The Oilers’ matchups during this era are frequently discussed alongside other AFC powerhouses, including John Elway and the Denver Broncos, which were among the conference’s most formidable rivals.

Late franchise years and relocation to Tennessee (1991–1996)

By the early 1990s, the franchise underwent changes in coaching and roster construction, and the team faced the broader challenge of remaining competitive amid shifting NFL talent levels. Even as performance varied season to season, the Oilers continued to represent Houston in national matchups and maintained a committed fan base.

In 1997, the franchise relocated to Tennessee and rebranded as the Tennessee Titans, bringing the Oilers era to a close. The relocation reflected the business and stadium realities common to NFL teams at the time, while the franchise’s legacy remained tied to both its AFL origins and its decades-long Houston identity.

Legacy and franchise lineage

The Oilers’ history is closely connected to the development of modern NFL franchises that trace lineage through relocations and rebranding. Many aspects of the Oilers’ identity—team culture, play style, and standout players—remain influential in how the organization is remembered. The franchise’s evolution is also reflected in later league-wide discussions about continuity, branding, and historical record-keeping in professional sports.

Players and teams from the Oilers’ timeframe continue to appear in retrospectives of the AFC era, including comparisons involving Jim Kelly and the Buffalo Bills, as well as other conference contemporaries. The Oilers’ seasons from the 1960s through the 1990s remain part of NFL historical accounts, especially in discussions about AFL-to-NFL transitions.

See also

• Tennessee Titans
• Houston Texans
• List of Tennessee Titans seasons
• Earl Campbell
• American Football League

Categories: American Football League teams, National Football League teams, Houston Oilers