The Houston Texans are making a switch.
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 after the unit allowed second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud to be sacked 54 times last fall.
While the Texans won the AFC South (10-7) in 2024 and reached the divisional round for the second consecutive season, the offense was inconsistent throughout the regular season.
A major change in Houston: The #Texans are moving on from offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, sources say, after an up-and-down offensive season.
Despite reaching the divisional round, coach DeMeco Ryans hopes for more. OL coach Chris Strausser is also out. pic.twitter.com/UYOdNiADAx
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 24, 2025
Even with injuries, regression from Stroud and the uncreative approach to Slowik’s play designs were a glaring weakness that led to several second-half collapses, including in Week 9 against the New York Jets, Week 10 against the Detroit Lions and Week 12 against the Tennessee Titans.
Following Saturday’s divisional round loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said he wanted to take a week to evaluate the staff.
When asked about Slowik’s performance in Year 2, Ryans was brief with his response.
“I think overall with Bobby, I saw some growth,” Ryans said. “I saw some improvement throughout the year.”
After helping Stroud win Offensive Rookie of the Year, Slowik’s regression led to complete regression. Expected to be one of the top offenses in the leaguewith a “five-headed monster” in the passing game, Houston finished 22nd in total yards per game, 21st in passing, 19th in scoring and 15th in rushing for 2024.
DeMeco Ryans is proud of the 2024 Texans team but not satisfied:
On “just getting to the divisional round”:
“That’s not why I work. I work to WIN.”
Goes on to say: “For me it’s like good year, but not good ENOUGH. For me it’s how do we take the organization to new heights.” pic.twitter.com/9qGmbJOJUD
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) January 22, 2025
“Overall, offensively, it wasn’t where we wanted to be,” 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.”
The Texans are expected to have a list of candidates in line to work with Stroud, including interal options like quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson.
A hire should be made within the coming week.
