There’s one major discrepancy between Bobby Slowik and the prior standard of the Miami Dolphins’ passing game

There’s one major discrepancy between Bobby Slowik and the prior standard of the Miami Dolphins’ passing game.

Kyle Crabbs — NFL National Writer
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Dec 31, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik on the sideline during the game against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. © Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

There are probably several pass catchers in the Miami Dolphins locker room who are excited about one possible major change this upcoming season.

With the transition to Bobby Slowik as the team’s offensive coordinator, the offense in South Florida will have plenty of similarities to the past four seasons. But the quirks and wrinkles will have their own unique spin. And based off Slowik’s data across two years in Houston, this change could be for the better for several primary targets in the passing game.

Bobby Slowik’s role as Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator could free weapons from being screen merchants

Dec 31, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik on the sideline during the game against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium.© Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

The Miami Dolphins have been among the league’s leaders in screen passes over the past few seasons. In 2023, Tua Tagovailoa ranked 2nd in the NFL in total screen attempts (his 15% of drop backs as screens ranked 1st). 2024? Tagovailoa ranked 6th despite missing nearly half a dozen games (his 20% of drop backs as screens was 1st again). Tagovailoa ranked 8th in 2025 but he was benched for the final three games of the season — and was four screen attempts from being in the top-3.

Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud ranked 24th in percentage of drop backs as screens during his sophomore season under Slowik (9.7%). As a rookie, he ranked 21st with a 10.2% screen rate.

For names like Malik Washington, De’Von Achane, and others, it should be a welcomed change and a change to re-shape some perceptions in the passing game. Washington in particular is due for an evolved role. Two-thirds of Washington’s targets in 2025 came within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage and he ranked in the top-15 among all NFL wide receivers in perimeter screens ran in 2025. Achane ranked in the top-5 in perimeter screens run — and when you include screens from the backfield, he was top-3.

Slowik could bring as much as a 50% reduction in screen rate in 2026 from the prior standard under Mike McDaniel in South Florida. If that is indeed true, look for the primary beneficiaries to be Washington and Achane.

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