What a difference a year has made for the Houston Texans.
NFL.com's Steve Wyche reported Thursday that Texans coach Gary Kubiak and general manager Rick Smith have agreed to contract extensions, citing a source with knowledge of the situation.
The team later confirmed the signings on Twitter.
Smith and Kubiak are in the final year of their current deals, according to The Associated Press. The extensions do not come as a surprise, but it's something few would have predicted a year ago.
Last summer, Kubiak, especially, found himself planted on the hot seat. His five seasons in Houston had netted zero postseason appearances, but no shortage of questions and whispers about the team's destination under his direction. Kubiak and Smith have silenced the masses, for now.
Owner Bob McNair was bashed by some for sticking with Kubiak in 2011, but the move paid off with a division title. With Peyton Manning's exit from the Indianapolis Colts, Kubiak's team now sits as darlings of the AFC South.
Kubiak's somewhat underwhelming 47-49 regular season record speaks to the patience of the Texans organization when so many teams shuttle head coaches in and out by impulse. There's miles to go before Houston sits alongside New England, Pittsburgh and Baltimore as model franchises -- but they've weathered some of the early growing en route.