Tag: Jerrod Johnson

Opinion: It’s time for Texans to wave goodbye to OC Bobby Slowik

Should the Houston Texans consider pivoting from OC Bobby Slowik to QB coach Jerrod Johnson as play caller as their offense sputters?

Change might be needed in Houston.

One year after Bobby Slowik was anointed as the next great offensive coordinator and rising head coaching candidate, the Houston Texans’ second-year play-caller stands firmly in the crossfire.

Tensions have been building among fans for weeks, but it erupted to a point of no return following Sunday’s meltdown against the Detroit Lions. Houston failed to score in the second half, squandering a 23-7 lead in an eventual 26-23 loss.

In was expected to be a juggernaut, Houston’s offense looks like one of the league’s most disappointing units.

Following Sunday, the Texans rank 16th in EPA per pass at -0.04 and 23rd in passing efficiency at 41.1% despite being headlined by 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud.

They rank 28th in EPA per carry at -0.31 and 31st in rushing success rate at a measly 34.2% despite the surge of Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon as the leading rusher.

Stroud’s sophomore season is approaching ‘slump’ territory under Slowik’s watch. The Ohio State product has regressed in completion percentage, passer rating, EPA per drop back and success rating.

Not only has Stroud struggled, he’s been sacked 34 times this season, only four fewer than reigning No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams.

The offensive line has factored into the failure — including regression from highly-paid members such as Laremy Tunsil and Shaq Mason —but Slowik sits core responsible for the unit he is in charge of coaching and coordinating on game day.

There’s no doubt that Slowik had a phenomenal debut in 2023. The former San Francisco 49ers assistant brought the core principles of the Kyle Shanahan scheme alongside detail-oriented, focused gameplans built around protecting and insulating his rookie quarterback.

The team flourished with game plans built around low-efficiency runs and max protection passes with long-developing route concepts. Texans Wire even named Slowik one of the 15 Most Impactful Texans of 2023.

Houston was able to find both explosive gains and play to the strength of their gritty defense as needed in 2023 with this formula. Stroud had firm guardrails to perform within and, combined with his talent, the team saw immediate explosive output and it was a huge part of their success last season.

It’s a factor as to why the Texans swung big in trades to land Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs and Mixon to accelerate an offense that already had the proverbial ‘engine’ needed for greatness.

Slowik’s second act in 2024 was expected to be one of evolution. Initially, the concept was built for a budding franchise star to facilitate as a point guard-esque distributor for a stacked supporting cast.

Instead, everything has sputtered.

Houston’s offense hasn’t evolved beyond the primary tenants many expected from San Francisco. What’s even worse is that it hasn’t established any unique identity of its own despite these unique talents available on offense.

The Texans remain a run-first offense that’s willing to accept an inefficient running game and, in that inefficiency, have become rather dependent on heroics from Stroud to bail them out.

These conservative tendencies have played a factor in the persona that is Houston’s happy being in games with top competitors rather than one that expects to win.

Confusing finishes against the Green Bay Packers and even electing for a long field goal against Detroit highlights a game plan built like a franchise without a premier quarterback.

What happens when a team is unable to pivot away from their structural inefficiencies?

What occurs when it’s unable to highlight its unique offensive talents or retain a large portion of its former identity?

Unfortunately, regression.

A year of film study has allowed teams to target their game plans toward Slowik’s tendencies and how Houston wants to win games. Whether that is predicting early-down runs or exploiting bad protection rules across a weak offensive line, teams have had far more success against the Texans offense and Stroud in 2024.

Slowik’s inability to evolve any of these components against the better-prepared competition is even further testimony to a unit that is struggling to adapt.

The Texans now feature an offense unable to structurally sound off on any singular thing worth merit. Their running game is inefficient. They’re unable to protect Stroud. The passing game often finds themselves in grossly unfavorable positions.

All of this is seemingly fueled by an offensive coordinator who doesn’t appear to have a direction for what this offense’s second act should be.

That doesn’t mean the situation is hopeless. The Texans should improve with the return of receiver Nico Collins, who led the NFL in receiving yards when placed on injured reserve last month. He provides an easy answer in the quick game, explosive plays vertically and consistency on screens functions as an extension of the run.

Still, it won’t fix the core issue that Slowik’s offense has encountered at this juncture: A lack of identity with minimal schematic diversity.

It’s for that reason that it’s time for Houston to consider a change at the top of their offensive coaching staff.

Quarterback coach Jerrod Johnson interviewed with several NFL teams for their offensive coordinator openings before ultimately electing to return to Houston. Coveted around the league, it was assumed that Johnson preferred to take the mantle in Houston following the 2024 season once Slowik departed for a potential head coaching position.

Johnson, a former quarterback, has experience under Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell and former Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich. He’s also worked with Stroud since he was in high school and has served as his position coach in team meetings ever since he arrived in the building.

Coordinator changes are almost always driven by desperation. Unfair or not, Houston is in a desperate position now sitting at 6-4 with an apparent inability to compete with top contenders dwindling.

However, few teams have such a well-regarded and well-prepared candidate in-house.

In a season with Super Bowl aspirations, it’s time for the Texans to take their chances with their once-considered heir apparent at offensive coordinator. Johnson’s background and quarterback-centric approach could not only galvanize the locker room but stimulate more aggressive and more talent-friendly game plans for Houston’s offense.

Across the sidelines, Detroit once faced an uphill climb at offensive coordinator early in Dan Campbell’s tenure. He eventually elected to promote tight ends coach Ben Johnson as the new play-caller after the in-season demotion of offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn.

The rest has been history as Johnson remains the most sought-after candidate to take over a franchise for the second consecutive offseason.

It’s not ideal, but the Texans’ offense is approaching a point of desperation. Texans coach Demeco Ryans should consider whether he’s willing to endure another loss when his defense forces five interceptions.

The front office needs to consider if they’re willing to let an expensive 2024 offense go to waste on principal.

Sometimes, change is necessary. Fans soon will see if the Texans feel the same way.

Texans QB coach Jerrod Johnson’s recalls his ‘it moment’ with C.J. Stroud

Texans QB Coach Jerrod Johnson was a guest on The Athletic’s “Playcallers” podcast discussing all things coaching and C.J. Stroud.

Jerrod Johnson’s playing career was ending, and the son of a former high school football coach was transitioning into the family business.

He was helping at the Elite 11 – a competition for the nation’s top high school quarterbacks—when he came across a 17-year-old, three-star recruit eager to learn and improve. 

The kid was C.J. Stroud.

Johnson, who enters his second season as Houston Texans quarterbacks coach, recalled the experience as a guest on The Athletic’s ‘Playcallers’ podcast. 

“Even at 17 when he came in, I don’t think he had much formal quarterback training (and) he wasn’t the highest-rated kid there for a week,” Johnson said. “But he just bought into our entire process. He stayed after, he asked questions, and he was just an eager 17-year-old who just wanted to get somewhere, wanted to chase his dreams, and he felt there was a lot of information there throughout that camp.”

Stroud went on to win MVP of the camp and soon after received a scholarship to Ohio State. Over his two seasons as the Buckeyes’ starter, he’d become one of the nation’s most prolific passers, leading to the Texans drafting him second overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.

“To meet him again as a young man, I do think us having a respect for each other and the time we met when we both were younger kind of broke the ice for us,” Johnson said. “I think there was a trust level, a mutual respect for each other that allowed us to hit the ground running.”

Johnson likely doesn’t get the credit he deserves for prepping Stroud week-to-week en route to winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Stroud combined explosiveness with ball security, ranking second in yards per completion (12.9) and first in interception rate (1.0).

It is regarded as one of the best seasons by a rookie quarterback in NFL history, as Houston finished 10-7 to win the AFC South and its first playoff game in four years.

“I think that Tampa Bay game is one that is forever ingrained in my brain,” Johnson said. “That’s a true sign of character and a true sign of his skillset, and that was kind of the aha moment to where he’s a legitimate NFL quarterback that can take us places we’d like to go.”

Stroud engineered a six-play, 75-yard drive with under a minute on the clock, connecting with Tank Dell at the six-second mark for a 15-yard touchdown to lift Houston over the Buccaneers, 39-37.

The win moved Houston to 4-4 and kicked off a 6-3 finish to the year, pushing it into the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

Perhaps influenced by the contest, Tampa Bay interviewed Johnson for its offensive coordinator role after Dave Canales accepted the Carolina Panthers head coaching job.

He also interviewed with the New Orleans Saints but elected to follow the same approach Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, who received head coaching interviews, and to return to Houston.

They’ll get the chance to work with Stroud and an improved supporting cast, and with another season like the last, they could be elsewhere in an elevated role.

It’s the price to pay as a good football team, but one the Texans will pay willingly.

Saints Twitter melts down after Jerrod Johnson backs out of OC search

Saints Twitter reactions to Jerrod Johnson returning to the Texans were mixed, but confidence in the offensive coordinator search is waning

There weren’t many names in this year’s hiring cycle drawing more buzz than Houston Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson. The 35-year-old interviewed with the New Orleans Saints and five other teams looking for a new offensive coordinator — including playoff teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cleveland Browns as well as the rebuilding New England Patriots.

Instead, Johnson elected to stay another year in Houston, where he received a raise and an extension, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He’ll continue working with young star quarterback C.J. Stroud under offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik which should give him a great opportunity to improve his stock ahead of the 2025 hiring cycle. If Slowik is hired away next year then Johnson is a natural successor on DeMeco Ryans’ staff.

But that didn’t leave Saints fans feeling happy. Reactions were mixed (some were turned off by Johnson’s lack of experience) but confidence in the offensive coordinator search is waning. Dennis Allen can’t afford to get this hire wrong. Here’s what fans are saying in the aftermath of Johnson returning to Houston:

Bobby Slowik, Jerrod Johnson elect to run it back with Texans in 2024

The Texans return two key offensive coaches in Bobby Slowik and Jerrod Johnson, who chose to stay in Houston for the 2024 season.

After the Houston Texans season ended with a crushing 34-10 loss in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs, quarterback C.J. Stroud was ready to “Run It Back” immediately. With the amount of success the Texans had this season, with 11 total wins, they want that feeling of exhilaration from the victories and the fans.

Stroud, the odds-on favorite to win the 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, is securely in place to lead the franchise for the next few years. So is most of his offensive line led by 2023 Pro Bowl starter Laremy Tunsil when you add in wide receiver Tank Dell, the potential of Nico Collins being signed to a long-term deal, and additions to the running back position through free agency or the draft.

The only uncertainty was if the Texans would have offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik back to design plays and quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson helping Stroud improve for another season.

Slowik, who like Stroud is also in contention to be recognized as the 2023 Assistant Coach of the Year at the NFL Honors in Las Vegas, has been interviewed by numerous teams such as the Washington Commanders, Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, and Carolina Panthers since the end of the Texans season.

Yet, according to confirmed league sources, he has decided that the best course of action was for him to stay and finish what he started with his friend, head coach DeMeco Ryans, who gave Slowik an opportunity to call plays for the first time in his career based on the relationship he formed with him during their days with the San Francisco 49ers.

“I knew he was going to push me hard,” Stroud said about Slowik’s approach with him. “He was going to be hard on me. He held me to a standard all year. He held me accountable. A lot of times when you’re playing good ball, guys, they kind of let you do what you do and leave you alone. Bobby was always on me about the little details in my position, and I appreciated that because you don’t always get that. He was always just hard on me, but also showed me a lot of love – a ton of love.”

This season has been an incredible ride for quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson, who, like Slowik, appreciated the opportunities he was given to interview this offseason.

Johnson, who played quarterback at Texas A&M University, was a candidate for the offensive coordinator jobs with the New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers but instead stayed loyal to the Houston Texans franchise and coach Ryans, according to confirmed league sources. It was Ryans who gave him the opportunity to come back home (Johnson is a Houston native) and help develop Stroud, who finished the season with 4,108 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and only five interceptions. He also led the league with 273.9 yards per game.

“I’ve known Jerrod since I was 16,” Stroud said about Johnson in his final interview with the media to end the season. “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. A guy who loves football, he loves Houston, he loves Texas. 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.”

“When I was 16 at the Elite 11, we did like this little circle group; it was like all the quarterbacks in my group. Jerrod’s one thing for me was like, ‘Be confident.’ At that time, I wasn’t really the highest recruit. I wasn’t who I would become. I always knew it would be a possibility, but I didn’t hear those type of – 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 in my rookie year; it’s been just a blessing to work with him. 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 and Bobbly [Slowik].”

Houston’s abysmal offense improved from 25th in passing yards per game in 2022 to fifth in 2023 under Slowik’s and Johnson’s guidance this season.

Report: Texans QB coach Jerrod Johnson returning to Houston after taking several OC interviews

According to NFL Network national insider Ian Rapoport, Johnson informed teams on Monday that he has withdrawn his name from OC candidacy.

After interviewing for three respective offensive coordinator openings around the NFL, Texas A&M alumnus Jerrod Johnson is returning to coach quarterbacks for the Houston Texans.

According to NFL Network national insider Ian Rapoport, Johnson informed teams on Monday evening that he has withdrawn his name from OC candidacy to “finish what he started” in H-Town. Johnson recently took two interviews with the New Orleans Saints and had one with each of the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Before suiting up for six NFL teams during his playing career, Johnson made history in College Station. When he graduated, the Houston native held two Texas A&M program records with the most yards passing (8,011) and total offensive yards (8,888) all-time. Kellen Mond now holds both records and Johnson is third in total yards behind Mond and Johnny Manziel.

Johnson got his start in coaching with the San Francisco 49ers in 2017 under the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship. He served in the same position with the Indianapolis Colts in 2019 before being elevated to an offensive quality control coach for the next two seasons. Johnson served as assistant quarterbacks coach on the Minnesota Vikings in 2022 before being hired by Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans prior to this season.

Given the success of Ohio State alumnus, rookie CJ Stroud, under the guidance of Johnson, the interviews for Johnson will likely continue to roll in for years to come.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

Jerrod Johnson pulls out of Saints OC search, will return to Houston

Breaking: Jerrod Johnson pulls out of Saints offensive coordinator search, will return to Texans

The New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator search has lost another candidate, but this time it wasn’t someone getting hired by a different team. Top candidate Jerrod Johnson has told teams that he will be returning to the Houston Texans as their quarterbacks coach for another season, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He’ll have an opportunity to gain experience and improve his standing after another year working with C.J. Stroud and Bobby Slowik.

New Orleans wasn’t the only team in pursuit of Johnson, but they made him a priority. The Saints had interviewed Johnson twice, with him being near the top of their list as well as multiple other teams. They have a second interview planned with former Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy  on Wednesday, who will be the only other candidate to meet with the Saints twice.

As for the rest of their list (that are still available), it is as follows: Greg Lewis, Klint Kubiak, Brian Griese, Ronald Curry, Mike Sullivan and Brian Johnson. Others may have met with the team but not been reported, as was the case for Getsy, so stay tuned.

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Saints offensive coordinator search: Who’s interviewed twice, who’s off the board

New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator search: Who has interviewed twice, who is off the board, and who is still available?

There isn’t a more important question for the New Orleans Saints to answer right now than this: “Who is calling plays in 2024?”

For the first time in more than a decade, the Saints are searching for a new offensive coordinator — and one who will be calling plays, not just helping Sean Payton design the game plan each week. Getting the most out of cornerstone players like Derek Carr, Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave, and Taysom Hill while curing what ails the offensive line is critical.

It’s no exaggeration to say this is the most important hire that Dennis Allen will make as head coach. If he gets this wrong and the Saints offense starts out on a cripplingly slow pace again, it’ll be curtains for him. He needs to find the right coach who can carry Carr’s positive momentum over into 2024 while reviving one of the NFL’s least-creative rushing attacks. That’s no small task.

And names keep getting added to the search as the Saints interview more and more candidates. We’ll keep this list updated and check in on who is still available, who has gotten a second interview with New Orleans, and who has been taken off the board by other teams:

Bucs interview Texans QB coach Jerrod Johnson for OC position

Johnson is one of the most sought-after OC candidates this cycle after his work with Texans QB C.J. Stroud in 2023.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have completed an interview with one of the hottest offensive coordinator candidates on the market.

The team announced on Tuesday that it has interviewed Houston Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson for its offensive coordinator position. Johnson has been a sought-out candidate for the whole cycle this offseason, and a big part of that is what he’s done with Houston’s rookie quarterback.

Johnson oversaw the development of QB C.J. Stroud in Houston, and Stroud went on to put together one of the better rookie campaigns in recent memory. Under Johnson’s tutelage, Stroud threw for 23 touchdowns, five picks and 4,108 yards — despite missing two games this year.

Johnson completed his fourth year as a coach in 2023, previously spending two years with the Indianapolis Colts and then one with the Minnesota Vikings as an offensive assistant and an assistant quarterbacks coach, respectively. The move would be a big one for Tampa Bay, as it could keep the momentum of a fresh new mind offensively and it could also serve as a good lure to win over quarterback Baker Mayfield in making his choice to return to Tampa Bay.

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Pros and cons of every OC candidate Saints have interviewed

Breaking down the pros and cons of every offensive coordinator candidate the New Orleans Saints have interviewed:

The writing was on the wall for Pete Carmichael following the New Orleans Saints’ 2023 season. He was let go after 14 years as the team’s offensive coordinator and the Saints will need to replace him. They’ve already done a number of interviews, but a few coaches have already been hired away.

Carmichael was a nice coach under Payton, but really lacked the ability to run the offense without him. As Dennis Allen is a defensive head coach, whoever the Saints hire will have to carry the load of the offense.

Here are the pros and cons to every offensive coordinator candidate the Saints have interviewed so far (that is still available):

Browns OC candidate Jerrod Johnson gets second interview with Saints

The Browns have competition for Johnson.

The Cleveland Browns are feeling the heat from the New Orleans Saints over the potential offensive coordinator services of Jerrod Johnson.

Johnson, the current quarterbacks coach of the Houston Texans, has been a hot commodity from teams looking for a new offensive coordinator. The Browns are far from the only team to interview him, but now he has a second interview in New Orleans as their interest is heating up.

Getting a ton of praise for the development of rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, Johnson has now worked for the likes of Kevin O’Connell, Bobby Slowik, Kyle Shanahan, and Frank Reich throughout his young career as he rises through the ranks.

With Kellen Moore already off the board, agreeing to become the new offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, the Browns may want to wrap up their search fast.

Could Johnson be the next man up in Cleveland as they look to continue to get the most out of Deshaun Watson?

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