Deciphering what latest buzz reveals about Houston Texans future
Jan 12, 2024, 4:18 pm
The Texans may be looking for a new OC. Composite image by Brandon Strange.
DeMeco Ryans has big plans for the Houston Texans
Every year in the NFL there's Black Monday. It's the day in which coaches and executives are often fired after a disappointing season. Most firings are done on Black Monday, although some take place during the season. The opposite end of Black Monday is the hiring of the next wave of coaches and executives to run these teams.
The exciting part of Black Monday is renewed hope for a moribund franchise. A team and its fanbase get a shot of energy when the new hires are people they're looking forward to. In some cases, the new hires are met with trepidation or skepticism. That's when the people hired aren't known, or, aren't/weren't coveted by others around the league.
One segment of fans often forgotten in the whole Black Monday saga are the ones who lose those new hires and have to replace them. League hiring rules state teams must interview minority candidates, get permission from teams to speak with guys under contract, and all sorts of other things. Enter Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. He's the first time play caller given the keys to the kingdom with a rookie quarterback and a roster on the come up.
Slowik turned the opportunity given to him into being a desired candidate for head coaching openings across the league. The Panthers, Commanders, Falcons, and Titans have all requested to speak with Slowik. They all either have a young QB to groom, or will draft one. Who better to hire than a guy who helped a rookie QB win his division, and possibly offensive rookie of the year.
Slowik couldn't do his job as well without having C.J. Stroud. Stroud wouldn't have been drafted if it weren't for general manager Nick Caserio. Stroud was recently the subject of “what if” trade rumors. People discussed what the Texans could get if they traded him. Caserio became a part of the rumor mill too when Bill Belichick was initially rumored, then ultimately parted ways in New England. When dispelling the rumors, Caserio used the word “jackass” in describing said rumors. He reiterated he's fully committed to this organization and is very happy here.
While these rumors and hiring cycles can be stressful for fans of teams with good young coaches and executives, they should feel proud. If nobody wants to hire guys from your team, something is wrong. Teams only poach talent from places they see things working. It's a copycat league. If you do well, others will attempt to emulate your success. The best way to do so is by bringing in the people who helped create that environment.
Now, the Stroud talk was just that: talk. No one in their right mind would even consider trading him. The mere fact that he was discussed as potentially fetching at least three first rounders or more was a hat tip to how good he's become, as well as the value of QBs. Caserio's rumored return to New England was solely based off the fact that he was with the organization for about 20 years. Belichick was on his way out, and people speculated Caserio might want to return.
Slowik is a different story. He took on a role for the first time and excelled. The league has gone the way of offense, and Slowik is a fruit from a tree that people are ready to pick from. Keeping him will be difficult. Per league rules, he can leave for a higher position (assistant head coach, or head coach), but not another OC job. Not even for more money.
All of this means this organization has gone from undesirable to undeniable in a little over a year. Winning the AFC South with a rookie QB, and first timer at OC & head coach has never been done. They may not finish the story this season, but it'll be a fun ride to watch them try!
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NFL insiders hint at eye-opening future for Houston Texans offense
Dec 7, 2024, 2:38 pm
C.J. Stroud faced criticism in Houston's last few games as the Texans hit a rough patch after losing just two of their first eight games.
But the second-year quarterback remained confident and his strong performance last Sunday helped the Texans (8-5) to a 23-20 win over the Jaguars to enter their bye with a two-game lead atop the AFC South.
“When he is leading and playing the way he is playing, our entire team feeds off of him,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “I am excited for his second year. I think he is showing a ton of growth, he is in a really great spot for us physically, mentally. I really love where he is and I am excited to see how he comes back after the break.”
Stroud threw for 242 yards and a touchdown against Jacksonville to leave him ranked fourth in the NFL with 3,117 yards passing this season. That game came after he threw two interceptions in a 32-27 loss to Tennessee a week before for the team’s third loss in four games.
Those two interceptions brought his season total to nine, which are four more than he threw in 15 games a rookie. But the Texans aren’t worried about that statistic and believe he has grown in his second year.
“He’s made a lot of progress,” general manager Nick Caserio said. “There are some plays, like all of our players, that we probably wish he could have back, but happy he’s our quarterback, happy with what he brings to the table. ... Wouldn’t want anyone else leading this team.”
The Texans are in position to win their division for a second straight season despite dealing with several significant injuries on offense. Running back Joe Mixon missed three games early with an ankle injury and leading receiver Nico Collins was sidelined for five games with a hamstring injury.
They also lost four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs for the season when tore an ACL in Week 8.
Mixon leads the team with 887 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns and has added four touchdown receptions. His work in his first season in Houston after a trade from Cincinnati has helped the team deal with those significant injuries to the receiving corps.
Mixon ranks third in the NFL by averaging 88.7 yards rushing a game and has had at least 100 yards rushing in seven games.
Stroud has continually raved about Mixon’s contributions on and off the field.
“He’s a servant, a helper,” Stroud said. “That’s ultimately what I want to be as well. Who can I serve and how can I help? That’s ultimately what the game of football is.”
While Mixon has been the team’s most important new acquisition on offense, Danielle Hunter has been Houston’s new defensive star. The defensive end spent his first eight seasons in Minnesota before joining the Texans this year.
He has helped Houston lead the NFL with 84 tackles for loss after piling up 15 this season, which is tied for third most in the league. He also leads the Texans with 10½ sacks to help them rank second with 42.
Hunter been a great addition to a team that already had defensive end Will Anderson Jr., last year’s AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. Anderson ranks second to Hunter on the team with 13 tackles for loss and 9½ sacks.
Ryans said this week’s break is much needed for a team that opened the preseason on Aug. 1 in the Hall of Fame game.
“It’s here and we’re going to take advantage of it,” he said. “We’ve been going at it for a long time.”
The Texans need to recharge this week with a brutal stretch of three games in 10 days when they return from their bye. Houston hosts Miami on Dec. 15 before a trip to Kansas City on Dec. 21 and a visit from the Ravens on Christmas Day.
“It’s Christmas and all that, but we can’t worry about that. All we can do is focus on Miami,” Caserio said. “And then when we get through the Miami game, then we kind of turn the page to the next. ... We’re either going to earn it or we’re not. Not to oversimplify it, but that’s the truth.”
The Texans will play those game without starting linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair after he received a three-game suspension for his violent hit to the head of Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, which led to a concussion.
Al-Shaair will be eligible to return for Houston’s regular-season finale against Tennessee.