(This story was updated to add new information.)
The Houston Texans need a new offensive coordinator following the firing of Bobby Slowik on Friday afternoon.
Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly seems interested in returning to the pros for the first time since 2016 after his disastrous one-year stay with the San Francisco 49ers.
Could the cards align for Kelly to head down to the NRG Stadium? According to one report, more than stars are heading in the right direction.
According to CBS Sports’ insider Jonathan Jones, Kelly is considered a target for both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Texans OC positions. The former Oregon and UCLA head coach also could get looks in Tampa Bay and Las Vegas for their openings.
Kelly, 61, is fresh off winning a national championship at Ohio State while serving as Ryan Day’s play-caller. While he could stick around Columbus for another season, folks believe he’d take an NFL job tomorrow if offered and never looked back.
Chip Kelly is a top candidate for the #Texans OC job. Per @jjones9 pic.twitter.com/JiUsJ8ZcmK
— Dylan Delgatto (@DDelgattoNFL) January 26, 2025
Last offseason, Kelly interviewed for the Seattle Seahawks and Raiders offensive coordinator openings before eventually stepping down as UCLA’s head coach. At this point in his career, Kelly seems more inclined to call play rather than run an organization.
In Jacksonville, Kelly would likely split play-calling duties with recently hired Liam Coen. In Houston, he’d be in control of the offense while working hands-on with C.J. Stroud.
Much like Jacksonville, Houston has a core of four offensive personnel at Kelly’s disposal. Stroud headlines an offensive powerhouse featuring Nico Collins, Joe Mixon and Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil.
CJ Stroud will have a say in this vacant offensive coordinator search, obviously. Stroud has connections to 2 of the 3 men below. All of them were together in Philadelphia in 2015. DeMeco has final say but it seems to me the arrow is pointing to Chip Kelly for OC pic.twitter.com/ZNcW1afCvg
— Harley Dugan (@TheLead_HOU) January 26, 2025
But he won’t be alone in the quest to land the OC job. Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson, New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and Los Angeles Rams pass game coordinator Nick Caley are also early candidates for the position.
