Why Texans OC Bobby Slowik Is A Big Part of New Winning Vision
The NFL is in for a much different look during the 2023 season.
Just a few weeks after the official end to the season, plenty of teams have already begun making both front office and roster changes heading into the offseason, but most notably on the offensive side of the coaching carousel.
Exactly half of the league will be entering next season with a new offensive coordinator — the Houston Texans among those teams with their recent hire of Bobby Slowik, who will likely be the primary play caller for the Texans next year.
Slowik will have the opportunity to introduce a new scheme to Houston's offense, bringing with him plenty of experience from his 10 years in the league.
But what makes the former 49ers passing game coordinator a good fit for the Texans?
For starters, he oversaw an offense that lost its first two options at quarterback midseason — and still managed to make the NFC Championship.
Under Slowik and third-string quarterback Brock Purdy, the 49ers finished the season second overall in passer rating, and seventh in passing touchdowns.
Slowik also worked with standout running back Christian McCaffrey, who the 49ers picked up during week seven. McCaffrey seamlessly fit into San Francisco's offensive, tallying more than 1100 all-purpose yards in his 11 games with the team.
The veteran coach proved in multiple ways his ability to adapt — an essential trait for any successful coach in the NFL — but even more importantly to the Texans, he proved his ability to coach a successful offense.
During the 2022-23 season, Houston ranked in the bottom five in the league in completion percentage, passer rating, first down percentage, and yards per passing attempt,
Its rushing statistics were not much better — ranking the same in rushing yards, touchdowns, and yards per carry.
Slowik will no doubt have his work cut out for him in his new role, giving him expanded responsibilities across the entire offense, but he will have bright spots to look forward to:
Already having worked with young quarterbacks in Trey Lance and Purdy, Slowik will get another shot to develop one after the NFL Draft, which will likely see Houston bringing in a top rookie to replace Davis Mills.
He will also work closely with running back Dameon Pierce, who is coming off of a solid first year.
Not to mention what will be a first-year receiver in John Metchie III, who is looking to make his return to football as soon as April.
And with veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks possibly on the trade block this offseason, the Texans will likely end up with even more draft capital for Slowik to work into his scheme.
So, less than two months away from the start of training camp, the Texans have work yet to be done. But with their full coaching staff officially announced Friday, both general manager Nick Caserio and head coach DeMeco Ryans seem to have a vision — one that likely includes a Lombardi trophy and a hometown parade.
And if one thing is certain, the Texans have made clear that Bobby Slowik is essential to that vision.
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