Texans Fire OC Slowik After Two Seasons

You do not know who is in the building until they are gone.

The Houston Texans won the AFC South crown in back-to-back years with a second consecutive 10-7 record, but the 2024 season had a much different vibe to it than the 2023 campaign. The Texans have decided to make some significant changes to their foundation heading into the offseason, as they have fired offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, according to CBS Sports lead NFL insider Jonathan Jones. Houston is also parting ways with offensive line coach Chris Strausser, according to NFL Media.

Houston also let go assistant offensive line coach Cole Popovich, according to sources, who added that a decision on the remaining members of the offensive staff will be made when the organization hires a new offensive coordinator.

Slowik just completed his second season as the offensive play-caller for the Texans after spending six years with Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers. In 2023, Slowik was looked at as a major reason why rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, drafted No. 2 overall out of Ohio State, had a historic campaign with 23 passing touchdowns and only five interceptions while Houston made the jump from worst-to-first in the division after the Deshaun Watson era. The Texans offense ranked No. 12 in total yards (342.4 yards per game) and No. 13 in points per game (22.2) in 2023, but took a nosedive in 2024, ranking No. 22 in yards (319.7 yards per game) and No. 19 in scoring (21.9 points per game).

“I think overall with Bobby, I saw some growth,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “I saw some improvement throughout the year.”

Ryans also mentioned how the Texans’ offense needed to “improve” after a disappointing season as the unit ranked 18th in scoring (22.1) and 16th in total offense (329 yards per game). The most staggering aspect of the offense was pass protection, or lack thereof. Stroud was subjected to a lot of punishment and took a beating of 52 sacks, second most to only Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears and was pressured on 38.6% of his dropbacks (third most according to Next Gen Stats).

“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.”

Stroud led the league in passing yards per game and interception percentage in 2023, but his production in virtually every major statistical category dipped in his second NFL season.

Slowik was the hot young candidate who received head coach interest following his remarkable first season in Houston and had an interview with the New York Jets for their head coaching job this offseason.

Opposing defenses appeared more locked in and prepared for Houston’s offensive scheme in 2024, and the offensive line struggled to protect Stroud, who absorbed 52 sacks this season compared to 38 as a rookie.