HOUSTON – Mulling a tough decision over in a deliberate, detailed fashion, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans ultimately made a difficult call to fire offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik .
How Ryans arrived at that decision involved a multi-layered process. There was the emotional aspect of moving on from a friend he’s worked closely with ever since breaking into the coaching profession, sharing a small office with Slowik initially with the San Francisco 49ers and then bringing him with him to Houston as a first-time play-caller.
Recommended Videos
Ryans didn’t ignore the feedback he received from key offensive players, taking that into account as part of his evaluation. He looked at the regression of the offense, which dipped to 22nd overall in total offensive rankings and 19th in scoring offense. And there was the pivotal factor of protecting the health of quarterback C.J. Stroud and keeping him standing in the pocket, which was another key factor in the decision to dismiss Slowik as the former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year was sacked a career-high 52 times last season.
So, Ryans moved forward by moving on from Slowik and hiring former Los Angeles Rams tight ends coach and passing game coordinator Nick Caley as his replacement to run the defending AFC South champions’ offense.
“It was very hard to let Bobby go,” Ryans said Thursday at NRG Stadium during Caley’s introductory press conference. “Bobby’s a really close friend, as you all know, Bobby’s a great friend of mine. When I got into coaching, Bobby was the guy who helped me figure it all out and we were (quality control assistants) together, there, in San Fran.
“So, really long relationship there with him. Nothing but love and admiration for Bobby and what he’s done. I know he’ll be a really good coach in this league as he continues to press forward in his career. And I wish him nothing but the best.”
Thoughts, takeaways on new #Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley and his vision for the offense https://t.co/UeVG3sy0MZ
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) February 13, 2025
Slowik has already landed a new job, being hired by the Miami Dolphins as their senior passing game coordinator, according to league sources.
Slowik was fired by the AFC South champions after the offense took a major step backward this season.
Now, Slowik reunites with Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, his former colleague with the 49ers, and his brother, Ryan Slowik, the Dolphins’ defensive backs coach and pass game specialist.
Although the Texans’ offense made a few strides during the playoffs in some key areas, especially running the football with Pro Bowl runner Joe Mixon, the season was defined by an overall regression under Slowik. They averaged 21.9 points per game to rank 19th in scoring and 22nd in total offense with an average of 319.7 yards per contest, 21st in passing offense and 15th in rushing offense.
This represents a fresh start for Slowik after a rough final season in Houston.
Ryans, close with Slowik from their time with the 49ers, had been noncommittal publicly on the status of any staff member or player and outlined at the start of his season-ending press conference after a divisional round playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs that he planned to take the week to evaluate those decisions.
Ryans emphasized strongly at that time that the offense needed to get better.
Ryans weighed the direction of the offense, the upside and downside of making a change and the input of key players in formulating a decision that was ultimately entirely his call, per league sources. Multiple players spoke candidly, expressing concern about the direction and philosophy of the offense, the play-calling and a general lack of production and consistency. That wasn’t the sole factor in determining this difficult decision, but it was a consideration, per sources.
#Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said it was 'Really hard' to move on from Bobby Slowik @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/TrVpqIehQg
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) February 13, 2025
“Overall, offensively, we have to improve,” Ryans said when the season ended. “It wasn’t where we wanted to be. There were challenges throughout the year, that is every year. You have challenges, you have ups and downs where you try to figure out the course, who we have and how to make it work. We have to improve.”
Some of the downturn offensively was attributable to substandard pass protection. Whether it was scheme or personnel, which was shifted nearly every week due to injuries and ineffectiveness at recognizing and picking up blitzes and line stunts, they allowed quarterback C.J. Stroud to be sacked 52 times after he was sacked just 38 times in his first NFL season and was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Stroud threw a dozen interceptions, seven more than his rookie season.
Stroud was sacked eight times, tying a career-high, and hit 14 times overall in a 23-14 AFC divisional round loss to the Chiefs. They also outgained the Chiefs by more than 100 yards in the playoff loss and had no turnovers, engineering a 10-minute drive capped by Mixon’s touchdown run to start the second half. The Texans had 429 yards of total offense against the Los Angeles Chargers in an AFC wild-card playoff win.
There wasn’t a lot of production or consistent blocking from the tight end position after signing veteran Dalton Schultz to a three-year, $36 million free agent deal. Schultz finished with 53 catches for 532 yards and two touchdowns on 81 targets.
The Texans also dealt with season-ending knee injuries suffered by wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell, taking away two viable downfield options and increasing the reliance on star wide receiver Nico Collins.
The Texans averaged 22.2 points per game in 2023, Slowik’s first season as an offensive coordinator after a previous stint as the San Francisco 49ers passing game coordinator where he once shared an office with Ryans, to rank 13th in scoring offense. They ranked seventh in passing offense, 22nd in rushing offense.
Stroud was supportive publicly of Slowik, backing his return when the season ended.
“I think he did great,” Stroud said. “I think as time went on he got better and better. He was learning from his past and what he did in San Fran, learning from what he has done on the defensive side and putting it into his own scheme.
“I definitely think he has a lot of success coming his way and I’ve been honored to have it with him and hopefully keep it going. Definitely on Bobby’s side and appreciative of all of things he has taught me and how great he has been in my career so far.”
Mixon, acquired in a trade form the Cincinnati Bengals and signed to a three-year, $27 million extension, thrived in Slowik’s offense with 1,016 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. There were games, though, when the running game disappeared and the run blocking was shoddy as Mixon had nowhere to run and was hit in the backfield as soon as he got the handoff from Stroud. That was attributable to the blocking and the scheme.
“The way we came together at the end of the year, I felt it could have been a little more of focus on us,” Mixon said. “No matter what is called our there, whether run or pass, it’s up to the players to make that thing go. I think Slow did a great job with that of executing and I think he really honed in on the details toward the end of the year and I also felt like everyone bought into what we were doing. I think everybody gelled at the right time. We came up short.”
An identify appeared to be discovered finally in the playoffs: a smash-mouth, rugged approach.
However, there wasn’t a consistency on offense.
“I think we really felt like everybody honed in on whatever it takes to win,” Mixon said. “You’re a competitor. Sometimes, stats matter. You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t a great player. Sometimes, the stats can take away from the team. Once we came together at the right time, everybody bought in and whatever it took to win, everybody was starting to do that. We took that right direction after Baltimore when we lost on Christmas, everybody took initiative, it was really a reality check.”
Stroud averaged 7.0 yards per attempt, had a 2.3 interception percentage and threw 20 touchdowns, three less than his rookie season when he passed for 4,108 yards and joined Tom Brady and Joe Montana as the only NFL quarterbacks in the history of the game to lead the league in passing yards per contest and touchdown-to-interception ratio in the same season.
Slowik wound up not getting any offers last season, but did receive an upgraded contract as he remained in Houston, as did quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson when he interviewed for offensive coordinator vacancies.
After Slowik interviewed with the Washington Commanders, Atlanta Falcons,, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans and Carolina Panthers, he reached a deal to remain with the Texans. He agreed to an upgraded contract with a much higher salary, per a league source, an augmented deal supported by the McNair family, Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio.
The offense looked much better in a 32-12 playoff win over the Chargers as Stroud passed for 282 yards and a touchdown and Mixon rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown. Overall, though, the offense wasn’t good enough. And, now, they’re under new leadership with Caley.
“Man, I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Nick Caley as our new offensive coordinator,” Ryans said. “He brings a wealth of knowledge. Smart coach. He’s coached on the defensive side. Offense, coached multiple positions and worked with a lot of different people. Various schemes, not just beholden to one scheme. He’s very well versed in run game, pass game, protection. He’s well-versed in it all. Very smart coach, very energetic guy and a great leader.
“Everyone I talked to throughout this process had nothing but awesome things to say about Nick and his approach. The players that he’s coached, there is nothing but great reviews about Nick and how he has helped guys in their career. I’m excited to work with him. I can’t wait for our players to get here and work with him. I know they’ll feel his energy and his excitement and what he is able to bring to our team. I just want to welcome Nick Caley as our offensive coordinator.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com