The Houston Texans experienced a remarkable season, surpassing expectations with standout performances from quarterback CJ Stroud and impressive rookies such as Will Anderson Jr, Tank Dell, and Juice Scruggs. Despite the initial intent for a rebuilding year, the Texans not only clinched the AFC South but also advanced to the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
This unexpected success has solidified Houston as a formidable team in the AFC. With a talented quarterback and a promising young core, including the fifth-highest cap space heading into the offseason, the Texans are poised to become a dominant force in the NFL for years to come.
The coaching duo of Bobby Slowik and Jerrod Johnson has played a pivotal role in the team’s success. Their expertise has garnered attention, making them sought-after coaches in the league. As the offseason unfolds, the Texans’ achievements have drawn interest from other teams, including the Carolina Panthers led by David Tepper and Ben Johnson, as well as the Detroit Lions.
Despite the positive momentum, there is a potential setback for the Houston Texans with the coaching hype surrounding two key offensive talents in January. Both offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and QB coach Jerrod Johnson have garnered significant attention.
Bobby Slowik is currently a top candidate for head coaching positions with the Washington Commanders and the Seattle Seahawks. It appears likely that he will secure one of these roles, especially after Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson chose to stay with the Lions for another year.
Meanwhile, Jerrod Johnson has been in discussions with both the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for their vacant offensive coordinator positions. Notably, Johnson is a finalist and frontrunner for the Saints job, with the Rams’ Zac Robinson being hired by the rival Falcons. Johnson is the sole coach scheduled for a second interview for the position.
The looming question is whether the Houston Texans can successfully retain these crucial staff members amid the coaching opportunities they are being presented with.
In a surprising turn of events, despite significant opportunities for both coaches, particularly Johnson, who was poised to take on play-calling duties in New Orleans, the collective decision has been made for both Bobby Slowik and Jerrod Johnson to stay with the Houston Texans. This information comes from reports by Ian Rapoport and Albert Breer.
While the specific details behind the decisions of both coaches are not fully disclosed at this point, it’s worth noting that the announcements about their choices occurred within a short timeframe—within 30 minutes of each other. This suggests the possibility of some discussion or coordination between the two coaches leading to the joint decision to stay in Houston.
Bobby Slowik, despite having tempting opportunities elsewhere, might have found Houston uniquely positioned for a strong future in the next five years. The chance to not only secure a significant pay raise but also compete for a championship and enhance his coaching resume could have been too appealing for the former Shanahan disciple.
Regarding Jerrod Johnson, while there’s no explicit mention of a substantial raise, it’s conceivable that the Texans would recognize and reward his contributions, especially considering the impressive development of quarterback CJ Stroud under his guidance. The prospect of continuing to work with Stroud and Slowik for another year or two may position him favorably for future success as an offensive play-caller in the NFL.
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