Former NFL head coach interviewing with Houston Texans

TEXANS NEW OC?

Former NFL head coach interviewing with Houston Texans
Kliff Kingsbury joining the staff would get a lot of fans excited. Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images

According to multiple reports, former Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury is in Houston on Friday speaking with the Houston Texans about an open position on the staff. One would have to assume he's being considered for the offensive coordinator position.

Houston has interviewed 49ers passing game coordinator Bobby Slowik, Bengals WRs coach Troy Walters, and Vikings assistant QBs coach Jerrod Johnson so far. So let's add Kingsbury to the list.

Kingsbury's experience with QB Kyler Murray has many fans excited about a potential fit with Alabama QB Bryce Young if the team decides to select him in the draft.

The Cardinals finished 8th in total offense in 2022.

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It doesn't sound like OC Bobby Slowik is going anywhere. Composite Getty Image.

One of the nuggets that came out of Nick Caserio's press conference this week, was his thoughts on the job Bobby Slowik has done as an offensive coordinator. When asked if the team has considered sharing the offensive play calling, Caseiro responded with an emphatic, “absolutely not.”

Caserio went on to praise the job Slowik has done this year, and to say the team's struggles in the second half this season is due to execution.

This stance is consistent with what we've heard from Texans insiders that believe Slowik will be back next season. As much as many Texans fans believe a change at OC could help CJ Stroud, who's shown regression this year, it doesn't appear Slowik is going anywhere.

To be fair, most teams aren't looking to replace their coordinators when they're leading their division and marching toward the postseason for the second straight year.

Number crunching

When comparing Stroud's stats to last season, there is a clear dropoff in 2024. But a lot of that has to do with the addition of Joe Mixon, especially when it comes to touchdowns.

Mixon is third in the NFL with 11 rushing TDs, while Dameon Pierce and Devin Singletary only combined for 6 over the entire 2023 season. One could argue the passing offense has regressed, but one could also argue the offense overall is more balanced.

Stroud is still Top 5 in passing yards, heading into this week's games. And even if we account for the bye week, Stroud will still be Top 10 after this week's slate of games.

The most concerning number to keep an eye on is sacks. Only one QB has been sacked more than Stroud, who's been sacked 41 times. CJ's protection has gotten better since Juice Scruggs was moved to guard, and Jarrett Patterson was inserted at center.

If Stroud starts getting hit again at a high level, that may be the one factor that could make the front office rethink their plans at coordinator. However, if the Texans do make a change, we expect them to address their o-line coach before any changes at OC.

Be sure to watch the video above for our full breakdown of the Texans offense, the coaching staff, and our thoughts on how the Azeez Al-Shaair suspension will impact the team.

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