Commanders Request To Interview Texans Coach Bobby Slowik

Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik is expected to be a hot name on the market this offseason.

The Washington Commanders have requested to speak with Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik for their head coach opening, according to multiple reports. 

Slowik is expected to be a hot name on the market this offseason after helping Houston secure its first playoff berth since 2019. The Carolina Panthers recently submitted a request to interview the first-year OC earlier Monday afternoon. 

Slowik, 36, was vital in the seven-win turnaround in Year 1 of the DeMeco Ryans' era, mainly due to his work with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. The No. 2 overall pick became the fifth rookie passer in league history to throw for 4,000 yards (4.108) during the regular season, joining Andrew Luck, Justin Herbert, Cam Newton, and Jameis Winston. 

Houston Texans coaches DeMeco Ryans and Bobby Slowik walk off the field at NRG Stadium  / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Stroud completed 64 percent of his passes and totaled 23 touchdowns against five interceptions. The favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, Stroud is third in the NFL in explosive plays of 20 yards or more.

His 100.8 passer rating ranks fourth among passers behind San Francisco's Brock Purdy (113.0), Baltimore's Lamar Jackson (102.7), and Miami's Tua Tagovailoa. 

In his first year as a play-caller, Slowik revamped Houston's offense into one of the league's more consistent units a year removed from one of its worst finishes. Under Pep Hamilton, the Texans ranked 31st in total yards (283.5) and scoring (17 points per game). 

Under Slowik, Houston ranked 12th in total yards (342.4) and 14th in scoring (22.2 points per contest). The Texans also ranked seventh in passing (245.5 yards per game) despite being limited at the receiver position. 

Slowik began his career in Washington as a defensive assistant in 2010 under Mike Shanahan. He'd later join Kyle Shanahan's staff in San Francisco in 2017 as a defensive quality control coach before working his way up the ladder to run-game coordinator prior to his departure to Houston. 

The Commanders fired Ron Rivera Monday after four seasons. Washington struggled to find any consistency behind second-year quarterback Sam Howell, but its defense severely regressed after allowing a leading-leading 30.5 points per game. 

G.O.A.T. Talk: Stroud Joins Historic Company

Washington currently owns the No. 2 pick in April's draft and is expected to select a quarterback. It's expected that the Commanders will target an offensive-minded coach to work with the young passer in hopes of securing a spot in the NFC postseason similar to Houston. 

The Texans take on the Cleveland Browns this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. to kick off Super Wild Card weekend. The game will be nationally televised on NBC.