The winds of change are blowing through NRG Stadium. Just days after their season came to an end in the divisional round, the Houston Texans have fired offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and two offensive line coaches, sources told ESPN on Friday.
Slowik Out After Two Seasons
Slowik’s dismissal comes on the heels of an underwhelming offensive performance in 2024, despite the Texans winning the AFC South with a 10-7 record. Head coach DeMeco Ryans had said he wanted to take a week to evaluate his staff before making any decisions.
When asked about Slowik’s performance, Ryans was noticeably terse in his response: “I think overall with Bobby, I saw some growth,” he said. “I saw some improvement throughout the year.” Hardly a ringing endorsement for an offensive coordinator.
Offensive Struggles Plague Texans
The Texans’ offense struggled mightily in several key areas in 2024:
- Pass protection issues: Quarterback C.J. Stroud was sacked 52 times, 2nd most in the NFL. He faced pressure on 38.6% of dropbacks.
- Touchdown drought: From Week 7 to Week 12, the Texans failed to score an offensive touchdown.
- Punchless second halves: Houston averaged a league-low 7.5 points per second half.
As a result, Stroud regressed statistically in his second season. His passing yardage and touchdowns both dropped significantly compared to his impressive rookie campaign.
“Overall, offensively, it wasn’t where we wanted to be. We have to improve.”
— DeMeco Ryans, Texans head coach
Offensive Line Coaches Also Dismissed
In addition to firing Slowik, the Texans also let go offensive line coach Chris Strausser and assistant offensive line coach Cole Popovich. Houston’s pass protection was among the worst in the league, surrendering unblocked pressure at an alarming rate.
With bookend tackles like Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil, the talent seemed to be there. But the results never materialized as the offensive line struggled to handle stunts and twists from opposing defenses.
High Hopes Dashed By Key Injuries
The Texans entered 2024 with massive expectations after adding Pro Bowl WR Stefon Diggs and RB Joe Mixon to pair with rising star Nico Collins. But those hopes were dashed when Diggs tore his ACL in Week 8.
Even with Mixon eclipsing 1,000 rushing yards, the offense could never find its groove or establish an identity. Third down and red zone efficiency were both among the bottom half of the league.
What’s Next for Texans Offense?
The dismissals of Slowik, Strausser, and Popovich signal that DeMeco Ryans is committed to overhauling an underachieving offense that wasted a stout defense and a division title.
Whoever Ryans hires as his next offensive coordinator will face immense pressure to unlock the potential of Stroud and his weapons. The Texans’ championship window is open, but without a high-powered offense to complement the defense, it could rapidly start closing.
