As Coaching Seats Fill Up, Texans Could Have Bobby Slowik Back in 2024
The music is starting to slow down on this year's NFL coaching cycle, and it increasingly feels like Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik may not get a chance to lead his own team in 2024.
While the Texans aren't rooting against the personal success of Slowik, having him back for a second year as offensive coordinator would be a welcomed development.
USA Today
Slowik interviewed twice with the Atlanta Falcons, but they ultimately tabbed Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris for their opening. He spoke at least once with the Carolina Panthers, who hired Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales Thursday.
The Tennessee Titans chose Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan to be their new head coach earlier this week, despite having interviewed Slowik.
In addition to those three openings, the New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers each hired the odds-on favorite to be their coach entering the offseason.
The Patriots promoted Jerod Mayo from inside linebackers coach to Bill Belichick's successor, as his contract said they would. The Raiders removed the interim tag from Antonio Pierce at the suggestion of key players like edge rusher Maxx Crosby. The Chargers reached a deal with former University of Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh this week to take their job.
It's always possible an owner has a change of heart and decides to change course after initially choosing to retain their current coach. But as is, the only two remaining openings are the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders.
Slowik interviewed with the Seahawks last Sunday, so he's a candidate there. But Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has been seen as the favorite for that opening, given that he has two prior stints in the organization, including serving as the defensive coordinator from 2013-2014.
It's a pretty similar story in D.C., where Slowik was interviewed twice. Slowik has ties to new general manager Adam Peters from their time together in the San Francisco 49ers organization, so he's perhaps a more serious candidate with the Commanders than the Seahawks.
But Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is believed to be the favorite for the job, and the fact that the Commanders didn't hire a coach this week suggests they may be waiting for Detroit's magical postseason run to end.
There could always be a change of plans in either situation or as noted above, another job may become open late in the cycle. But even if that happens, Slowik is competing with the likes of Belichick, former Titans coach Mike Vrabel, and Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, so there's no guarantee he would be the next pick.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans would obviously love to have Slowik back for another year. He did an incredible job helping to develop not only quarterback C.J. Stroud but getting the most out of Devin Singletary and receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell.
With a few offseason additions by general manager Nick Caserio, there's no reason the Texans couldn't be a Super Bowl contender in 2024.
Nonetheless, it would be a mistake to believe that Slowik is long for Houston. 2023 was his first year as an offensive coordinator, so teams may want him to get some more seasoning.
But a year from now, he could very well be the hot candidate with an offensive background. Ryans -- who has a defensive background -- needs to get a succession plan in place at offensive coordinator this off-season, even if Slowik is back for one more year in the role.
