Bobby

Slowik

Slowik was fired after a disappointing 2024 season with the Texans offense. He was a hot head coaching candidate after helping C.J. Stroud to a formidable rookie season in 2023, but nearly all offensive numbers faltered in Stroud’s second season. The Texans chose to move on, and now Slowik joins the Dolphins as passing game coordinator. The 37-year-old will have a chance to work with Tua Tagovailoa to improve Miami’s passing game.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport was first. The struggles of 2024 proved to be too much for Slowik, who, in less than a year, went from a top head coaching candidate to the latest coach to be fired this coaching cycle. In his first year as the Texans’ OC, PFF Bobby’s offense ranked 13th in points scored, 12th in total yards, and 15th in EPA per play — all with rookie C.J. Stroud under center. With a talented roster in tow and another year of experience ahead of the 2024 season, many expected the Texans to take a massive leap in their second season. Instead, Slowik’s offense declined in nearly every way, and was ultimately bounced in the divisional round in the playoffs after managing just one touchdown and 14 points against the Chiefs. It’s possible we find out in the near future that not all of Houston’s offensive struggles should have been placed directly on Slowik, but as the offensive coordinator he was always going to be the first to go if the team decided it needed a change. At just 37 years old, Slowik will have plenty of opportunities to serve as an offensive coordinator or more in the near future. It wouldn’t be surprising if those opportunities came as soon as this season.

Alexander speculates that the close relationship that Slowik and DeMeco Ryans have will likely help save the embattled coordinator’s job for 2025, but also posits that the Texans might need to add support staff and that “Chris Strausser’s days as the offensive line coach are likely numbered.” The Texans badly needed to find a better way to support C.J. Stroud on passing downs last year, both in terms of hot reads and offensive line play — particularly when it came to picking up stunts. We’re not surprised that the Texans are slowplaying firing Slowik, but it will likely leave the Texans passing game in an untenable fantasy football situation in 2025.

The shine has worn off a bit for Slowik. An impressive 2023 season that resulted in multiple head coaching interviews last offseason was followed by a less-impressive 2024 that was marked by C.J. Stroud’s regression in his second season. The Texans fell from 13th to 19th in points per game this season, and ranked 22nd in yards per play (5.1) after ranking 13th in yards per play in 2023. Still, the Jets continue to thoroughly vet all head coaching candidates and are interested in speaking with Slowik, who is one of only a handful of non-retread coaches they have spoken to this offseason.

PFF Bobby’s offense suffered major setbacks in 2024. After an impressive 2023 debut that saw his offense rank 13th in points per game (20.8) and 12th in total yards, the Texans fell outside the top half of the league this season. Quarterback C.J. Strouds’ sophomore slump didn’t help, as one of the league’s top young passers looked like anything but that this season, specifically on short and intermediate passes. Slowik and the Texans still managed to make the playoffs out of a weak AFC South, but this was not the resumé building season for Slowik that many expected. Still, it was apparently enough for him to earn an interview from the Jets, who have largely spoken to veteran head coaches and retreads early in this process.

Caserio during a Tuesday press conference was adamant that the Texans would not switch play callers despite massive and persistent offensive struggles in 2024. He heaped praise on the embattled Slowik, whose offense ranks 20th in EPA per play, in line with the Jets and Bears. C.J. Stroud has regressed in almost every way in his second pro season, collapsing under pressure and becoming one of the NFL’s most inaccurate passers on short and intermediate throws. It looks like the Texans are going to hope Slowik can turn around the underperforming unit in time for a postseason run.

While he was a hot name for head coaching positions, Slowik has decided to stay as the Texans’ offensive coordinator. The 36-year-old helped develop C.J. Stroud throughout his impressive rookie season, building a strong Texans offense that led to a playoff berth. Slowik is set to receive a raise with his new deal as he enters his second year with the Texans. Stroud, Nico Collins, and Tank Dell all stand to benefit from Slowik staying in Houston.

Slowik’s second interview with the Falcons was of the in-person variety, as Houston’s offensive play-caller continues to gain steam in this year’s coaching search. According to a report from NFL Network’s James Palmer earlier this week, Slowik left the Falcons “very impressed” after his first interview, which in itself is impressive for the 36-year-old coach. PFF Bobby helped lead C.J. Stroud to one of the most impressive rookie seasons we’ve seen from a quarterback in recent years and helped coach the Texans into the 13th-ranked offense in his first season. With Bill Belichick reportedly not being viewed as the Falcons’ top candidate, it’s possible Slowik could emerge as the odds-on favorite to land the gig.

NFL Network’s James Palmer reports Falcons brass was “very impressed” by Slowik, coming off his first year as Houston’s OC and working with probable rookie of the year C.J. Stroud. The Falcons, who seemed primed to hire Bill Belichick as head coach, are now exploring a range of options. Slowik also has an in-person interview with the Commanders, whose head coaching search has been exhaustive. Slowik’s Texans offense finished 2023 with the 15th highest EPA per play and the seventh worst success rate.

The Texans will be one the road against the Ravens on Saturday afternoon and then, regardless of outcome, Slowik will conduct three virtual interviews the next day. He has already interviewed for the head coach openings with the Titans and Panthers, so he has step-for-step with Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as the most sought-after candidate on the market. While Slowik has done tremendous work with the Texans offense, 2023 was his first and only season as an NFL coordinator, so there is a question of whether or not he’s ready to make a big jump to head coach.