“It’s a process. I know I went through it with his dad,” Kubiak said. “I just got more and more comfortable (with Kyle Shanahan) throughout the season. I was very comfortable with him doing those kinds of things. I felt pretty good about the job he did and the way he went about his business.”

Kubiak had individual meetings with players on Monday and planned to sit down with team owner Bob McNair in the evening. Kubiak said he would begin evaluating his coaching staff on Tuesday.

He said he wanted to retain assistant head coach Alex Gibbs, but was noncommittal about the future of defensive coordinator Richard Smith.

The Texans ranked 22nd after allowing more than 336 yards a game. Only five teams allowed more points a game than the 24.6 the Texans gave up this season. Houston’s defense improved late in the season, but never lived up to expectations for a unit with three first-round picks on the line, including Williams, the top overall pick in 2006.

“I’m in an evaluation period right now, we’ll see,” Kubiak said, when asked directly about Smith’s future.

Williams continued to improve, finishing with 12 sacks and making his first Pro Bowl. The Texans still haven’t found a pass rusher to play opposite him and finally getting that will certainly be a priority this offseason.

“It’s critical,” Williams said of improving the pass rush. “All four guys have to get better to get to the quarterback and help the team out.”

The Texans were encouraged by the improvement the defense made late in the season, but know they’ll have to do more to reach their goals next season.

“We just have to be accountable,” Williams said. “We have to be more consistent.”

The Texans will have the 15th pick in the this spring’s NFL draft.