A new play-caller is headed to Houston for the Texans in 2025.
The Texans have fired offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik after two years in Houston, according to multiple reports.
Houston also fired offensive line coach Chris Strausser and assistant offensive line coach Cole Popovich. A majority of the staff is expected to stay for 2025, though that decision will come down to the hiring of the next coordinator.
Slowik, 37, wasn’t terrible. He helped Houston clinch back-to-back AFC South division titles and 11-win seasons. This past season, wide receiver Nico Collins, offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and running back Joe Mixon were all named Pro Bowlers.
But the regression of second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud was a deciding factor toward an internal shift. After throwing for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns in 15 games en route to winning Offensive Rookie of the Year, Stroud finished 15th in passing yards (3,727) and tied for 15th in passing touchdowns (20).
The offensive line also allowed 52 sacks (second-most) while Stroud was pressured on 38.6% of his dropbacks (third most according to NFL Next Gen Stats).
“Overall, offensively, it wasn’t where we wanted to be,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “There were challenges throughout the year, that is every year. You have challenges, you have ups and downs where you try to figure out the course, who we have and how to make it work. We have to improve.”
Houston has talent. Tight end Dalton Schultz, Collins, Tunsil, Mixon and Stroud will all be back in 2024, so finishing 19th in scoring and 22nd in total offense shouldn’t be in the works. The Texans also could bring back All-Pro receiver Stefon Diggs and draft multiple offensive pieces.
So, who’s in the running for the job? Here’s 15 options entering the search committe.