Rex Burkhead is the consummate professional and doesn’t like to draw too many comparisons.
The former Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots running back is entering his 10th NFL season and his second with the Houston Texans. Burkhead is also working with a new offensive coordinator in as many seasons.
Burkhead kept the focus on Pep Hamilton, not former offensive coordinator Tim Kelly, who is now with the Tennessee Titans, when talking about the nuances of the 2022 offense June 1 after organized team activities.
“Pep has done a tremendous job so far making sure we’re taking it day by day,” Burkhead said at Houston Methodist Training Center. “With the new things he puts in the offense every single day, make sure we’re really honed in on that day and we get it done.”
Burkhead, who logged the only 100-yard rushing game for Houston last year in Week 16’s 41-29 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, acknowledges there are still snags being worked out in the spring.
“We’re taking steps backwards, we’re taking steps forward,” said Burkhead. “Any new progression that we get to the next day, he wants to take advantage of it while we’re out here on the field.”
What Burkhead can say about Hamilton’s offense is that it is “very multiple” and does “a lot of different things.”
Said Burkhead: “It’s not just a one-track offense. It’s been fun. He knows how to use his guys and whatever skill sets they have, put them in the right positions to succeed.”
Hamilton has familiarity with the personnel as he was the quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator in 2021 under then-coach David Culley. With the promotion of defensive coordinator and associate head coach Lovie Smith to coach, along came a promotion for Hamilton, who has been one of Smith’s preferred assistants since they last worked together with the Chicago Bears from 2007-09.
