Texans K Ka'imi Fairbairn: Why the Kicker Deserves His Ranking at No. 21
Texans K Ka'imi Fairbairn: Why the Kicker Deserves His Ranking at No. 21
The Houston Texans' veteran kicker has proved his worth as a staple on this special teams unit.Jared Koch|
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Houston TexansIt's about time to continue our offseason rankings for the top 25 Houston Texans for the 2026 season, counting down which players around the roster will have the biggest impact during the year ahead.
Our first four entries in the list have been players to have been in the trenches, both offensively and defensively: Keylan Rutledge, Kayden McDonald, Aireontae Ersery and Trent Brown.
But this time, we're turning our attention to the special teams side of things with kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn, who comes in right at No. 21 on our list.
Why Ka'imi Fairbairn is So Important
While a kicker typically might not be a player that jumps out as an extremely impactful piece like someone lining up offensively or defensively, Fairbairn's importance has been notably important for the Texans since arriving as a UDFA since 2017, and especially so last season.
As the Texans' offense hit a snag at multiple times throughout the 2025 campaign, it would be Fairbairn who was a critical component in the mix, keeping Houston in games with his consistent boot.
61% of his makes came from 30-49 yards out, where he maintained a perfect 100% rate from that range. And for an offense that struggled to get touchdowns week after week, having a kicker as automatic as Fairbairn proved to be is an underrated, yet important piece to have within the equation.
Houston seems to agree with that sentiment as well, considering they re-signed Fairbairn on a two-year, $14 million extension this offseason for what would, at the time, make him the highest-paid kicker in the NFL, but would soon be overshadowed by Brandon Aubrey's $28 million deal.
Regardless, as long as Fairbairn can hold up his end of the bargain as he did this past season, Houston's investment will look pretty wise in the long haul.
Fairbairn's Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Has been a consistent kicker with nine years of success in Houston
- Made a career-high 44 field goals in 2025
- Didn't miss an extra point in 2025; the second time of his career
Weaknesses
- Made only 9/13 field goals from 50+ yards in 2025
What Happens if Fairbairn Gets Hurt?
This situation actually ended up happening to the Texans last season, when Fairbairn was sidelined for two games in Weeks 10 and 11 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans, respectively, when free agent pickup Matthew Wright would end up landing the job.
And it was in that stretch that Wright was actually perfect in his opportunities. His longest field goal attempt was only from 43 yards, but he went 4/4 in those two weeks on field goals, and a sharp 2/2 on extra points. Houston also went 2-0 in that same stretch, so that's an added bonus.
So Houston might not be totally dead in the water in the event Fairbairn does suffer an injury again this year. But the consistency and experience that the Texans veteran has presented probably make him the guy you want kicking the ball throughout a 17-game season and in high-pressure playoff moments as well.
Why We Ranked Fairbairn Here
Ranking a kicker in any top 25 rostered players list must mean that he has to be a pretty solid boot to warrant that hype. There's not many in the league that feel worthy of such a placement, but Fairbairn seems to fit that mold.
Houston's long-spanning confidence in his abilities seems to make his value clear, paired with the newly-hashed-out commitment to keep him onboard for the next three seasons. He's a huge piece to have for an offense that's still finding its groove as one of the top productive units in the league, like Houston's.
The goal for the Texans this season will obviously be to rely on Fairbairn a bit less than they did in 2025. Part of his career-high in field goal makes in 2025 showcases just how much lack of firepower this offense had to where they had to lean on him to be an actual engine to put points on the board.
However, ensuring that he can remain as consistent as he has been for the past nine years, and having an automatic three points on the board from 50 yards out, does add some relief for this coaching staff week after week, especially if this offense faces any similar challenges to last season.
So pinning Fairbairn in right outside of the top 20 impact players on Houston's roster feels like a pretty warranted placement, all things considered.
Published 15 hours ago
JARED KOCHJared Koch is the Publisher of Houston Texans On SI. He has covered the NFL & NBA with On SI since 2023, and is a graduate of Western Kentucky University.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
