HOUSTON – Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson is in heavy demand.
Johnson was requested for an interview with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, per a league source, for their offensive coordinator vacancy created when Mike Canales was hired as the Carolina Panthers’ head coach.
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Johnson interviewing for the second time with the New Orleans Saints for their offensive coordinator vacancy Saturday, according to a league source.
Johnson interviewed virtually Monday with the Saints and in-person Tuesday with the Cleveland Browns and the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday, per sources.
He has also interviewed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots.
Johnson has emerged as one of the hottest offensive coordinator candidates in the league.
The Eagles fired offensive coordinator Brian Johnson. The Saints fired offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael. And the Browns fired offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. The Steelers fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada during the season.
Johnson, 35, is highly regarded for his work with Texans standout rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, the frontrunner for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Stroud consistently praised Johnson and cited their strong relationship that goes back to Elite 11 work together when he was in high school.
Stroud, the second overall pick and two-time Heisman Trophy finalist from Ohio State, regards Johnson as instrumental in his growth as a quarterback as they first began working together when the Rancho Cucamonga, California native was 16 years old.
“One thing that I can say about Jerrod, you talk about somehow who knows how to play the position of quarterback and knows how to relay something, but also just a great person, man,” Stroud said. “A guy who loves football, he loves Houston, he loves Texas. He loves his family, he’s a great family man. Someone who has just taught me a tremendous amount of information, but on top of that, put a lot of confidence into me as well.”
At the time, Stroud wasn’t as well-known as a quarterback and was seeking to establish himself as a recruit. He wound up outperforming his friend, Carolina Panthers quarterback and top overall pick Bryce Young. Johnson encouraged Stroud to believe in himself.
“Jerrod’s one thing for me was like, ‘Be confident,’” Stroud said. “At that time, I wasn’t really the highest recruit. I wasn’t who I would become. Jerrod is someone I looked up to. When he was like, ‘Man, you need to be more confident,’ it changed my life. From there, fast forward and now I’m here with him my rookie year, it’s been just a blessing to work with him and, whatever happens, I’m excited for him, and he deserves everything that’s coming for him. I’m super blessed to be able to work with him.”
Stroud, 22, became the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game, surpassing his childhood idol, Michael Vick. He began his career with an NFL record 191 passes without an interception, finished the season with 198 passes without an interception and finished with 4,108 yards in the regular season, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Stroud joined Tom Brady and Joe Montana as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to lead the league in passing yards per game and touchdown-to-interception ratio.
“Yeah, you can’t talk about C.J.’s success without talking about Jerrod, and what he was able to do, the relationship he had with him,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Just being there for him as a position coach. Teaching him, guiding him along the way – Jerrod is one of the reasons why C.J. had a successful year.”
A former record-setting Texas A&M quarterback who also played for the Aggies basketball team, Johnson embraced this opportunity as the Humble High School graduate coaches for his hometown team.
“I see myself as a teacher,” Johnson told KPRC 2 earlier this season. “My biggest thing is I want to teach. Whatever is needed of the players in the room, from Case Keenum, to Davis Mills, to C.J., whatever I can do to teach and give them whatever they need, I try to be transparent and open and honest with them.
“I really want feedback from them. Does this feel comfortable or does it not feel comfortable? It’s a back-and-forth, but, at the same time, we have a strong room with guys who are smart and who care. Anytime you have guys like that, it’s a joy to coach them.”
Johnson was previously the assistant quarterbacks coach for the Minnesota Vikings, working closely with coach Kevin O’Connell and veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins. He interviewed for the Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator job that went to former Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.
Johnson is a former Indianapolis Colts offensive quality control coach who joined the Vikings in 2022.
Johnson has also coached for the San Francisco 49ers under a Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship. He was promoted three years ago to his previous role with the Colts. He interviewed three years ago for the Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterbacks coaching position.
Johnson finished his college career with a school-record 8,011 passing yards and 8,888 yards of total offense and also played on the Aggies basketball team. A second-team All-Big 12 selection, Johnson was the program’s all-time leader in attempts, completions, passing yards and touchdowns before Kellen Mond broke those records.
When Johnson was playing at Texas A&M for former Aggies coach Mike Sherman, Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor was a graduate assistant.
Although Johnson went undrafted, he played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Hartford Colonials, and Sacramento Mountain Lions.
Johnson is a former assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at St. Thomas High School in Houston.
He played in the East-West Shrine Bowl in 2011 and later coached at the East-West Shrine Bowl.
Johnson has enjoyed coaching Stroud.
“Absolutely, he’s a super mature kid,” Johnson told KPRC 2. “He has a great foundation. He played a lot of big-time football in college, and it doesn’t seem too big for him.
As the Texans’ first-year quarterbacks coach, Johnson was tasked with a pivotal, plum assignment: developing and building the skills and knowledge of Stroud, the second overall pick of the draft and a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist from Ohio State,
After playing for his late father, Larry Johnson, in high school, excelling for the Aggies, then playing in the East-West Shrine Bowl all-star game and going undrafted, Johnson played quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Hartford Colonials, and Sacramento Mountain Lions.
His roots in Humble are what built Johnson into a coach.
“It meant everything,” Johnson said. “My dad was a coach there, and a principal there. That’s our family roots. I wouldn’t be who I am today without the village of people who raised me in Humble, Texas. I’m forever indebted to Humble and I love my hometown and that’s the foundation of who I am as a person.”
Coaching for his hometown team is emotionally significant for Johnson as he and his wife, Braidee, are the parents of a newborn baby girl. Jersie Drew Johnson was born April 18, shortly before the NFL draft.
“It’s really special, especially with my family, my wife Braidee and our little girl, for me to get the opportunity to do what I love in the city that I grew up in,” Johnson said. “It’s a dream come true. I’m really blessed. It’s an emotional thing to be around my family and have our family around our newborn. For us to start our family in my hometown is a godsend.”
Johnson participated in the NFL Coach Accelerator program in Minneapolis as one of 40 diverse coaches selected for their high potential to be considered as a potential head coaching candidate in the future.. The Coach Accelerator program aims to increase exposure between owners, executives, and diverse coaching talent, providing ample opportunity to develop and build upon their relationships
“It was a unique experience,” Johnson said. “It’s a couple of days to think in a different framework, to understand the big picture of the NFL and the things that go into potentially advancing in a career. Being a position coach, we love diving in and getting into the X’s and O’s. That’s why I love ball.
“To be exposed to some great coaches and older coaches who have been through a lot and even some of the professional development they did in dealing with all the aspects in dealing with the NFL, I think it’s going to be good for my career. We had a round table where we met several owners from around the league. That was unique in itself. I never knew that I would have the opportunity to do that and they were very gracious to be open and talk with us and learn about us.”
Johnson discussed his goals in coaching earlier this season.
“I aspire, absolutely,” Johnson said. “I think every coach aspires to get to that point. The cool thing is that you don’t go in there without winning. It’s a team game. I grew up playing, and I’m here to help the quarterbacks get better. If you do a good job, good things will happen. I pour into the players. I pour into the coaches, and that’s all that matters right now..”
Johnson finished his college career with a school-record of 8,011 passing yards and 8,888 yards of total offense and also played on the Aggies basketball team. A second-team All-Big 12 selection, Johnson was the program’s all-time leader in attempts, completions, passing yards and touchdowns before Kellen Mond broke those records
Working with an accomplished passer like Cousins and learning from O’Connell, a former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator and NFL backup quarterback, was an important step for Johnson..
“With Kirk, he’s the ultimate professional,” Johnson said. “He prepares. Anytime you can get around a guy like that, you try to share that with other quarterbacks. Kevin was very good to me. He’s a special coach and a special football mind and he has an attacking way of offensive football. I learned a lot how to prep, how to see the passing game, all those different things. I learned a lot in Minnesota and I’m forever indebted to Kevin O’Connell for giving me that opportunity.”
Johnson first coached Stroud at the prestigious Elite 11 camp when Stroud was a high school player in California in 2019.
“I met C.J. at a young age,” Johnson said. “To meet him at 17 and go through the draft process with all the other quarterbacks and to see him now as an adult, as a mature kid who’s been through a lot on the field and off the field, to see the man he’s become, it’s good to have that reference point. I’m excited for his future.”
Stroud praised his coaches, especially Johnson, as he worked toward establishing himself this season in addition to offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. Slowik is a candidate for head coaching jobs, including the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders.
“They’ve been very methodical and want to get me to learn it step by step, just like how they would teach anybody else,” Stroud said during organized team activities. “I feel like I’ve tried to do a lot of work on my own, so when I come back the next day, I have that to put in the bank to be able to move on to the next install, whatever it is.
“Bobby and Jerrod have done a great job. Coach Slow is a great young mind and an amazing play caller. Excited to work with him and Jerrod, who of course I worked with before. It’s exciting to be back and see a similar face and just get more in depth with what he knows about the game and the knowledge he brings.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.