KEEPING THE BAND TOGETHER
Texans' turning point: Decoding the significance of recent franchise-altering moves
Jan 31, 2024, 10:46 am
The Texans' offense shouldn't skip a beat. Composite Getty Image.
As CJ Stroud was putting together arguably the best rookie quarterback season in NFL history, Texans fans were concerned that Stroud's success would lead to OC Bobby Slowik's departure.
In fact, when DeMeco Ryans announced that Slowik would come over from the 49ers to be the new OC, some people actually wondered if the team made a mistake. They questioned if the Texans should have hired Slowik as the head coach, so Stroud would be assured of having stability as he developed.
It sounds silly now, with DeMeco Ryans already winning the Pro Football Writers of America award for Coach of the Year. But offensive-minded coaches have been the most popular hires over the last several years (the last 5 straight Super Bowl matchups, all offensive head coaches). Especially guys from the Shanahan coaching tree like Bobby Slowik working with a rookie QB. There was legitimate concern that if Stroud did succeed with Slowik as OC, he would immediately move on to be the head coach of another franchise.
And the biggest nightmare for the Texans almost came to fruition, as Slowik has been a hot head coaching candidate this offseason. But now we can all relax, Bobby Slowik has reportedly agreed to a new contract (more money) and will stay with the Texans.
Texans OC Bobby Slowik has agreed to a new deal in Houston within the past few days, one that includes a significant raise, per sources. Slowik impressed multiple NFL clubs thru the interview process.
But he's sticking in Houston. He'll be a hot name in 2025.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 30, 2024
With Slowik now in the fold for 2024, Houston needed one more piece to return to the coaching staff to keep Stroud on track for his sophomore season.
Texans QB coach Jerrrod Johnson is in demand and has been interviewing for an OC position with the Saints, Steelers, Patriots, and Bucs.
According to reports, it looks like the Texans got their wish. Johnson has told teams he plans on returning to the Texans in 2024. He like Slowik has agreed to a new deal (with a raise) and will coach Stroud again in 2024.
Sources: #Texans QBs coach Jerrod Johnson has informed teams interested in hiring him as an OC that he plans to return to Houston. A big development for the #Texans, as Johnson wants to finish what he started with CJ Stroud, DeMeco Ryans, OC Bobby Slowik and the organization. pic.twitter.com/mpMoKThYsy
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 30, 2024
With the Texans coaching staff staying intact, Stroud can build off his rookie season and not worry about having to learn another system, with different terminology and coaching.
Stroud will be challenged enough in his second year, as the league will pick up on some of his tendencies in the offseason. But at least he doesn't have to worry about starting all over with a new staff. Credit to GM Nick Caserio and Texans ownership for recognizing the importance of stability for a young QB who's trying to take his game to the next level after experiencing a ton of success as a rookie.
It's also great to see that this was a situation/organization these coaches wanted to be a part of again. It seems like Slowik and Johnson see something special being built in H-Town, with Stroud taking snaps and DeMeco Ryans leading a talented young squad that's already won a division and a playoff game in their first year.
With the Slowik and Johnson contracts resolved, now we turn our attention to free agency and the draft. And one thing is for certain, the future has never been brighter for the Texans organization. They finally get it, and Houston has a football team they can officially get behind.
Houston Astros shake things up trying to halt the spiral
Jul 29, 2025, 4:13 pm
Houston ace Framber Valdez expressed frustration about the defensive positioning on a play in the sixth inning Monday night that led to the only run he allowed in the Astros’ 2-1 loss to the Washington Nationals.
There were two outs in the sixth when Valdez walked Josh Bell. Nathaniel Lowe’s groundball double to the right field corner scored Bell and tied the game at 1.
Valdez wasn’t happy that right fielder Taylor Trammell was shifted halfway to center field instead of in right field on the play.
“I saw the right fielder playing center field and, you know, we have a center fielder for that,” Valdez told reporters in Spanish through a translator. “I feel like the right fielder should have been playing right field. I was uncomfortable with that.”
Valdez was asked if he addressed the positioning with the coaching staff.
“I don’t have to ask the coaches about that,” he said. “I feel like baseball is a game of common sense. With me as a lefty pitcher, they don’t hit a lot of fly balls against me.”
Valdez allowed three hits and a run while tying a season high with 12 strikeouts in six innings to become the 10th pitcher in franchise history to reach 1,000 career strikeouts (1,007).
You can see where the right fielder was positioned in the video below.
hi lowe pic.twitter.com/6hKlolMnTU
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 29, 2025
Riley Adams hit a solo homer in the seventh inning to give Washington the win and extend Houston’s skid to a season-high five games.