01-25-2025, 12:02 AM -
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6086661...-oc-coach/
Wow...what a fall.
While Stroud was supportive of Slowik returning for a third season at end-of-season media availability, Ryans seemed noncommittal. And now, the Texans’ regression on offense this season proved too much to give Slowik another shot.
The former 49ers passing game coordinator was a hot name and fast riser among the coaching ranks after 2023, when Stroud won Offensive Rookie of the Year and the Texans won the AFC South as the league’s surprise team. The Texans won 10 games, the AFC South and a wild-card playoff game again this year. But the eye test and the numbers tell you why Houston made this move.
The Texans went from 12th to 22nd in total yards, 13th to 19th in points per game and the fewest giveaways in the league to 11th most from 2023 to 2024.
A lot of other factors could be blamed. The Texans’ offensive line was mostly poor this season, unable to consistently protect Stroud. Injuries played a factor, too, with key offensive weapons Stefon Diggs, Tank Dell, Joe Mixon and Nico Collins all missing games.
But Texans fans grew tired of Slowik’s inability to be creative, adapt and adjust, as defensive coordinators caught up to Slowik’s offense. While Houston’s defense played like a championship unit, the offense was consistently outclassed by AFC heavyweights in Kansas City and Baltimore and the Texans even produced a few letdowns, namely against the Titans and Jets.
Wow...what a fall.
While Stroud was supportive of Slowik returning for a third season at end-of-season media availability, Ryans seemed noncommittal. And now, the Texans’ regression on offense this season proved too much to give Slowik another shot.
The former 49ers passing game coordinator was a hot name and fast riser among the coaching ranks after 2023, when Stroud won Offensive Rookie of the Year and the Texans won the AFC South as the league’s surprise team. The Texans won 10 games, the AFC South and a wild-card playoff game again this year. But the eye test and the numbers tell you why Houston made this move.
The Texans went from 12th to 22nd in total yards, 13th to 19th in points per game and the fewest giveaways in the league to 11th most from 2023 to 2024.
A lot of other factors could be blamed. The Texans’ offensive line was mostly poor this season, unable to consistently protect Stroud. Injuries played a factor, too, with key offensive weapons Stefon Diggs, Tank Dell, Joe Mixon and Nico Collins all missing games.
But Texans fans grew tired of Slowik’s inability to be creative, adapt and adjust, as defensive coordinators caught up to Slowik’s offense. While Houston’s defense played like a championship unit, the offense was consistently outclassed by AFC heavyweights in Kansas City and Baltimore and the Texans even produced a few letdowns, namely against the Titans and Jets.
