Who will take the reins?
The 2024 Houston Texans offense was… dysfunctional…
The offensive line was often shockingly bad for the amount of talent on the roster. Frequently missing obvious blocks and seeming to have an alarming level of apathy that would-be-star-quarterback C.J. Stroud spent almost as much time under a pile of defenders as he did throwing passes. All-pro tailback Joe Mixon and fellow runner Damion Pierce continually had nowhere to go and often found themselves dodging opponents in the backfield.
Houston’s 3952 passing yards was not indicative of a top flight quarterback and wide receiver duo. Good enough for 18th place in a 32 team league is simply… not good enough.
1909 rushing yards wrought similar results and placement.
If the offense could not pass or run effectively, overcoming the referees was an all but impossible task.
In fact, 1 of the few places the Texans offense did excel was sacks. Given up that is. 54 sacks was 4th best (worst?) in the NFL.
Hard to look at any of that and think the offensive coaching staff did a good job.
Meaning it’s no wonder OC Bobby Slowik and offensive line coach Chris Strausser were both promoted to customer by the Texans brass a few days ago.
Now the search for replacements begins. In most NFL circles, the head coach and GM will hire the OC, who then fills out their staff. So, expect the OC role to get filled, then that person will speak into the line coach role (and presumably other coaching positions).
Rumors swirl the Texans are trying to talk to former NFL offensive guru turned Ohio State OC Chip Kelly.
Kelly and Texans head coach Demeco Ryans have connections from their days with the Philadelphia Eagles. Which might give H-Town a leg up on bringing Kelly back to the NFL.
➖#Buckeyes OC Chip Kelly + #Texans HC DeMeco Ryans = Reunion in H-Town ?
️ “You know what DeMeco means to this team. He’s the true leader, we talk about it all the time. He’s Mufasa. He’s our guy.”
As a player, DeMeco Ryans was nicknamed “Mufasa” by Chip Kelly in Philly… pic.twitter.com/tgvBZfyH08
— sidelinesarah (@sidelinesarah) January 26, 2025
The Texans have allegedly already interviewed Syracuse’s OC Jeff Nixon. Nixon’s passing attack lit up the ACC, could it do the same in the NFL?
The Texans interviewed Syracuse’s OC Jeff Nixon per source.
Syracuse had the No. 1 passing offense in the country as QB Kyle McCord broke the ACC single-season passing record.
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) January 28, 2025
And while there are plenty of candidates in the NCAA and NFL world, Houston might also look inward and elevate quarterback coach Jerrod Johnson. Johnson’s impact on Stroud’s development can’t be understated, but it wasn’t enough to keep C.J. rising in 2024. However, GM Nick Caserio and Ryans will likely focus on pairing Stroud with the OC who best sets the young passer up for success.
➖Mike Garafolo on The Insiders, gives great insight to the #Texans OC job search
️ “Although that direction may be internally, Jerrod Johnson the quarterbacks coach is one of the candidates there to replace Slowik.
Just look for this offensive coordinator search to be about a… pic.twitter.com/RPL8ElHYmL
— sidelinesarah (@sidelinesarah) January 27, 2025
Current Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson and Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak are also early candidates for that job, sources say.
Bringing a Kubiak back into NRG would seemingly be a great thing, but Klint hasn’t done as well as his father did so far and nostalgia hasn’t always worked out for the Texans in the past.
And, as we often see with the NFL, don’t be shocked if an as yet unnamed candidate lands the gig.
That brings us to today’s poll.
If the Texans don’t want to spend the next Super Bowl weekend sitting at home, they have to get this hire right.