Texans' OC Bobby Slowik may have earned a head coaching job during the wildcard round
The Houston Texans got wildcard weekend started off with a bang with a 45 to 14 win over the Cleveland Browns. With the Texans being only a year removed from finishing with the 2nd worst record in the NFL at 3-13-1, them now going 10-7 and winning a playoff game is truly remarkable. And it's […]
The Houston Texans got wildcard weekend started off with a bang with a 45 to 14 win over the Cleveland Browns.
With the Texans being only a year removed from finishing with the 2nd worst record in the NFL at 3-13-1, them now going 10-7 and winning a playoff game is truly remarkable. And it's only adding to Texans' offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik's resume to become a head coach.
The Texans offense had quite the day against one of the NFL's best defenses behind the stellar play of rookie QB C.J. Stroud and the excellent offensive game plan and play calling of Slowik.
Slowik already had head coach interview requests from four teams: the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans, and Washington Commanders, and this win should result in other teams doing the same. Currently, there are seven head coach openings, with rumors saying one or more teams who made the playoffs could look to move off their current head coaches if their playoff runs end prematurely.
Current Head Coach Openings:
- Atlanta Falcons
- Carolina Panthers
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Seattle Seahawks
- Tennessee Titans
- Washington Commanders
Slowik is one of the hottest names around the NFL being floated to fill one of these current seven openings. I'd even say he is the 2nd most popular NFL offensive coordinator, only behind Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. I believe the Texans' playoff win will likely win over any team that still had doubts about Slowik, which should result in some more interview requests coming his way.
Slowik's resume includes a proven track record of having success with a young QB, which will likely be an extra valuable asset to the Falcons, Panthers, Titans, and Commanders. He also has had a big hand in reshaping a struggling offense in just one season, and his speciality, in my opinion, is simplifying the offense and building it to his QBs strengths.
That skill is Slowik's money maker because there isn't a team in the NFL that won't be looking for that trait. Even a team with a proven QB, like the Chargers with Justin Herbert, could view Slowik and that ability as a way to make Herbert more comfortable and get the most out of their star QB. Most importantly, keep him happy after the disaster of a season they just had.
I'm sure Slowik's quick rise up the NFL ranks and now being a sought-after NFL head coaching candidate in just one season wasn't a part of the Texan's plan when they gave him his first shot at being an offensive coordinator in the NFL. But offenses run by rookie QBs and a first-year offensive coordinator don't often look like the Texans this year. And that's a testament to just how good Stroud and Slowik have been for the Texans this season. Having to find a new offensive coordinator would not be ideal for the Texans and their soon to be 2nd year QB, but it might be their reality.
This is one of the struggles that comes with your main offensive mind not being the head coach of your football team. And while the Texans should and don't have any regrets about giving DeMeco Ryans the keys to their franchise, whether it is this year or not, they will have to figure out their plan on the offensive side of the ball once Slowik eventually lands a head coaching job. But if you ask me, they will have to figure that plan out as soon as possible because my money would be on Slowik landing a head coaching job this cycle.
Texans’ DeMeco Ryans had Joe Flacco and Browns in his sights from the start
The Texans beat the Browns in the playoffs.
