The Houston Texans have made significant changes to their coaching staff by parting ways with offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, as well as offensive line coach Chris Strausser and assistant offensive line coach Cole Popovich. The decision follows a season where the Texans, despite winning the AFC South with a 10-7 record and reaching the divisional round for the second consecutive year, struggled offensively.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans had indicated the need for evaluation immediately after the season ended. While he acknowledged Slowik’s development over the two years, Ryans noted the offense’s pressing issues. The Texans finished the year ranked 18th in scoring, averaging 22.1 points per game, and 16th in total offense with an average of 329 yards per game.
A major factor contributing to the offensive struggles was the poor pass protection. Quarterback C.J. Stroud endured a difficult season, taking 52 sacks—among the highest in the league—and facing pressure on nearly 39% of his dropbacks. This performance marked a regression from Stroud’s impressive rookie year, where he passed for over 4,100 yards. In contrast, he only recorded 3,727 yards and 20 touchdowns in the 2024 season.
Ryans also pointed out that the offense’s second-half performance was particularly troubling, with the Texans averaging a league-low of 7.5 points. High expectations surrounded the team coming into the season, particularly following the addition of Pro Bowl players like Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon. However, the offense consistently struggled in crucial scenarios, ranking 17th in third downs and 28th in red zone efficiency.
The firing of Slowik marks a significant shift as Ryans’ first hire when he joined the Texans was Slowik, a former colleague from their time together with the San Francisco 49ers. Although the Texans had their share of highs, such as Stroud’s rookie achievements, the overall offensive challenges have led to a reevaluation of strategy moving forward.
In the midst of these changes, there’s a sense of hope for improvement as the Texans look to revitalize their offense in the coming season. With new leadership anticipated, fans and players alike are eager to see how the coaching staff will adjust to address the offensive shortcomings and enhance the team’s competitive edge.