At this time, one year ago, the Houston Texans held the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. A few months later, Houston selected Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud with the No. 2 pick, and the rest, they say, is history.
On Saturday, Stroud led the Texans to a 45-14 blowout win over the Cleveland Browns in the AFC wild-card round. Stroud completed 16 of 21 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns in the victory.
Houston made two franchise-altering moves last offseason: Tabbing then-49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans as head coach and drafting Stroud. The Texans would see Stroud quickly emerge as one of the NFL’s best young quarterbacks in 2023, passing for over 4,000 yards, 23 touchdowns and only five interceptions.
But, most importantly, Stroud and Ryans led Houston from worst to first in the AFC South. Houston won three games in 2022 and 10 in 2023.
Another critical part of Houston’s resurgence is offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. The 36-year-old followed Ryans to Houston from San Francisco, where he served as a protege under Kyle Shanahan for several seasons. Slowik’s offense in 2023 looked a lot like Shanahan’s. And his role in Stroud’s development has made him a hot candidate for some of the head coaching vacancies around the NFL.
One of those vacancies belongs to the Washington Commanders. The Commanders, like Houston one year ago, hold the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Washington hired Adam Peters away from the 49ers as general manager on Friday and will ramp up its search for a head coach next week. Peters obviously knows Slowik well from their shared time in San Francisco.
How strong of a contender will Slowik be in Washington’s search?
Commanders’ fans were certainly watching Saturday’s game between the Texans and Browns, wishing they had a franchise quarterback like Stroud. They were also impressed with Slowik.
BUSY WEEKEND FOR COMMANDERS HC CANDIDATES
Slowik and Stroud putting on a Masterclass
Ben Johnson Offense vs Raheem Morris Defense tomorrow night
(I HOPE DAN QUINN AND DALLAS GET COOKED)
Ravens off This Week, BUT WEAVER AND MACDONALD WERE VIRTUALLY INTERVIEWED#HTTC
— Rio Robinson (@Rio_Robinson91) January 13, 2024
Commanders Fans and Adam P. watching Slowik route concepts #HTTC
You up, Ben! pic.twitter.com/25FXcPioaI
— Deuce__ @redzoneinthelab podcast (@redzoneinthelab) January 13, 2024
Bobby Slowik making a great audition for the Commanders HC job.
— https://linktr.ee/thispersonstinks (@tracytran) January 13, 2024
Everyone is screaming Ben Johnson Ben Johnson as the next @Commanders HC. But I ask u name one young assistant from the Mike Shanahan tree that has not been a successful Head Coach? Bobby Slowik is next in line!! Hire him!! #HTTC
— Teddy E (@Teddyjr919) January 13, 2024
Where Bobby Slowik beats Ben Johnson for the Commanders Job
1. His success with rookie* QB CJ Stroud
2. His past relationship with Adam Peters @49ers.
3. The Shanahan Tree and his past with the Washington Redskins.Get me Harbaugh or Slowik! pic.twitter.com/MnQkRvV9W8
— Commanthers (@Commanthers) January 14, 2024
Yeah go ahead Commanders sign Slowik and draft Jayden Daniels
— Mal (@Mal__1004) January 13, 2024
Slowik is making such a strong case. It'll be johnson but Slowik looks like that dude
— Commanders Declassified Podcast (@DeclassifiedWft) January 14, 2024
Bobby Slowik to the Washington Commanders just makes too much sense at this point
Adam Peters is plenty familiar with Slowik in their time in San Francisco
Bobby Slowik was on the Washington staff a decade ago
— Kevin Jones (@KevinAd151) January 14, 2024
@Commanders ill take Bobby Slowik too
— Twan.B (@Who_Iz_TwanB) January 13, 2024
Bobby Slowik is my top choice for Commanders next head coach.
— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) January 13, 2024
Ok….Hire Slowik
Tell him to bring someone from the Texans defensive staff who can implement this defense for the #commanders.
Fin…. #httc
— Andrew (@DrewSZLL) January 13, 2024
Bobby Slowik to the commanders
— A (@sasso91) January 13, 2024
I think the commanders would be stupid to go after Ben Johnson over Bobby Slowik
— Ben Hyde (@Ben2b23) January 13, 2024
CJ Stroud is so good…….So is Bobby Slowik…..a target for Washington! @JPFinlayNBCS @kevinsheehanDC @thomloverro @Mitch_Tischler @PeteHaileyNBCS
— JBeaver (@TheeCommanders) January 13, 2024
Commanders can have Johnson. I want Slowik. This scheme is unbelievable.
— Alex Bryant (@alexbryant1231) January 13, 2024
Commanders Fans and Adam P. watching Slowik route concepts #HTTC
You up, Ben! pic.twitter.com/25FXcPioaI
— Deuce__ @redzoneinthelab podcast (@redzoneinthelab) January 13, 2024
@MagicJohnson @Commanders You got Bobby Slowik on standby yet?
— Jesse Craig (@J_Craig13) January 13, 2024
