The Houston Texans will be looking for a new quarterback in 2023. Ostensibly it will be Bryce Young from Alabama as the club’s No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft.
The Texans could also be in the market for a new coach at the end of a season with Lovie Smith failing to keep the momentum of completing the rebuild.
The following isn’t a definitive or exhaustive list by any means. After all, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans would be a fan favorite to return to Houston, even if he weren’t the hottest potential candidate on the market.
If general manager Nick Caserio already has April in mind to take Young, then he needs to consider two offensive coordinators who have elevated average quarterbacks to career best seasons. It would be an all-in on offensive infrastructure.
The first candidate is the Cleveland Browns’ Alex Van Pelt. The 52-year-old has put together an offensive scheme that has allowed quarterback Jacoby Brissett to have his best season of his career. Brisset is on pace to have the highest passer rating of his career at 89.1. It also helps that Amari Cooper, considered a cap casualty for the Dallas Cowboys, is on pace to have career highs in receiving.
That is the definition of talent elevation.
Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron has been the architect of an offense that has them in the playoff hunt and defying national expectations in a year they were supposed to tank.
Geno Smith has played the part of a top-15 quarterback this season. The former New York Jets 2013 second-round pick has a career-high 72.8% completion percentage. Through 11 games, the once mistake-prone Smith has just five interceptions to show. Receiver Tyler Lockett also doesn’t look 30 years old as he’s having a renaissance year with 57 catches for 708 yards and six touchdowns.
Whether Waldron or Van Pelt, if Houston is going to go with a quarterback in the draft, Caserio needs a coaching staff that can help to transition their entry into the league.
Good offensive coaching will elevate the rookie, help running back Dameon Pierce, and mask offensive line deficiencies.
