Who Could the Houston Texans Look at as Their New Offensive Coordinator
A list of candidates should the Texans make a change at OC
Below is a list of possible offensive coordinators for the Houston Texans should they decide to make a change after the season and fire Bobby Slowik.
The Texans should make a change at offensive coordinator. The offense’s inability to operate is this team's biggest story and issue in 2024. It has held them back from reaching their potential as a team.
It’s unimaginative, stale, and ineffective.
There are excuses to make for Slowik. The offensive line has played poorly. The injuries piled up on offense. The depth was nonexistent.
Some changes wouldn’t do it for me. The defense was solid and they still changed a lot from the last season. Overhauling an underperforming offense should be a priority.
You will not find current NFL offensive coordinators on this list unless I believe they are not being retained at their current jobs. Teams don’t have to let their coordinators leave for a lateral job and I assume any team would block the interview request. Trading for a coordinator is asinine.
The list includes offensive staff members across the NFL, coaches who might be fired, and college coaches. Some have a lot of experience and some lack experience. Some of them have been in charge of play-calling duties and some have not. I cast a wide net in putting names on this list.
It should serve as a starting point to get the juices flowing in what you might want the Texans to chase as an offensive coordinator. I believe there are worthy candidates up and down this list.
They are not organized in any particular order. My favorites are at the end.
Jerrod Johnson
Houston Texans Quarterback Coach
It was quite the coup when the Texans were able to retain Bobby Slowik and Johnson this past offseason. Johnson interviewed for a variety of offensive coordinator jobs but stuck with the Texans. The succession seemed clear if Slowik was excellent and a head coach candidate after 2024 Johnson could step right in. Instead, the 2024 season has gone awry and now Johnson’s stock has dipped.
I can’t imagine sticking with Johnson would be on the table if the Texans were firing Slowik. If they thought he could do the job, why not make the change mid-year? He’s never called plays in the NFL. Stroud, despite an excellent 2023, has seemingly regressed under his watch. Johnson has been coaching for a few years and played quarterback in the NFL. He merits consideration due to familiarity and the potential that while seemingly not present in 2024 is still there.
Josh McCown
Minnesota Vikings Quarterbacks Coach
McCown was almost the head coach of the Houston Texans, twice, and I have to imagine he would have called the plays as well had Houston made that decision. He finally got into coaching in 2023 where he was the quarterbacks coach on a disappointing Carolina Panthers staff. He was fired midseason.
His 2024 season has been much better as the quarterback coach for Sam Darnold and the Vikings. Darnold has been excellent for the Vikings this season and I have to imagine there was some excitement to have McCown coach up their top pick J.J. McCarthy as well.
It’s a lighter resume than most from an actual coaching standpoint but McCown, as with his weird candidacy to be a head coach in Houston, can stand on his numerous years of quarterback experience. He hasn’t called plays at the NFL level as a coach, which is a knock but not an unforgivable absence on his short resume.
Nick Caley
Los Angeles Rams Tight Ends Coach/Pass Game Coordinator
If the name looks familiar to you, it should. The Texans interviewed Caley before they hired Bobby Slowik. Caley is currently on Sean McVay’s staff with the Rams. It is his second season with the Rams after he turned down the chance to be the offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots in 2024. Caley coached on offense for the New England Patriots from 2015 until he joined the Rams.
The McVay tree is the tree to pick off of now. Zac Taylor, Matt LaFleur, and Kevin O’Connell are all NFL head coaches after coaching for McVay. None of them called plays for McVay, which would be the biggest knock on Caley.
I’d be surprised if Caley isn’t a strong candidate for the Texans if there is an opening. Caley knows Nick Caserio from his time in New England and has a chance to impress in his second shot at the position in Houston.