The Tennessee Titans are the third team to have requested an interview with Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.
Another day, another interview request from an NFL team for Bobby Slowik.
According to various sources, the Tennessee Titans have asked to interview the Houston Texans’ first-year offensive coordinator for the head coaching job. Mike Vrabel, Tennessee’s longtime coach and Houston Texans defensive coordinator, was fired after six seasons following two consecutive sub-500 seasons.
Slowik had previously worked with Titans general manager Ran Carthon in San Francisco. Both were hired away from the Bay Area and moved to the AFC South last offseason.
The Titans join the Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders in requesting interviews with Slowik. The New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, and Los Angeles Chargers might be three more organizations to submit requests by the end of the week.
Slowik, 36, has been instrumental in Houston’s seven-win turnaround in Year 1 of the DeMeco Ryan era, thanks primarily to his work with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. The No. 2 overall choice became the fifth rookie quarterback in league history to reach 4,000 yards (4.108) during the regular season, joining Andrew Luck, Justin Herbert, Cam Newton, and Jameis Winston.
Stroud completed 64 percent of his passes, totaling 23 touchdowns and five interceptions. Stroud is the favorite to earn Offensive Rookie of the Year and ranks third in the NFL in explosive plays of 20 yards or more.
His 100.8 passer rating is fourth among quarterbacks, after only San Francisco’s Brock Purdy (113.0), Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson (102.7), and Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa.
Slowik transformed Houston’s offense into one of the league’s most consistent units in his first year as a playcaller, a year after the team had one of its worst seasons. Under Pep Hamilton, the Texans finished 31st in total yards (283.5) and scoring (17 points per game).
Under Slowik, Houston finished 12th in total yards (342.4) and 14th in scoring (22.2 points per game). Despite their limited receiving options, the Texans ranked sixth in passing (245.5 yards per game).
Slowik stated Wednesday that he was aware of the potential opportunities and expressed gratitude for the consideration, but his focus is on Houston’s current playoff game against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
“We’re focused on Cleveland,” stated Slowik. “We’re going full speed ahead, keeping our heads down in the darkness. I am extremely appreciative for all of this. I’m grateful to the Lord for this chance, and to (GM) Nick (Caserio), DeMeco, and this organization for putting me in this position. But right now, I am a Houston Texan. I’m a member of this organization, and I’ll do everything I can to help us overcome Cleveland.”
Slowik began his career in Washington as Mike Shanahan’s defensive assistant in 2010. He later joined Kyle Shanahan’s staff in San Francisco in 2017 as a defensive quality control coach, progressing to run-game coordinator before leaving for Houston.
The Titans, who finished 6-11, are hoping for an offensive boost from rookie quarterback Will Levis. In nine games, the second-round pick passed for 1,808 yards and eight touchdowns, with four interceptions. He completed 58.4% of his passes, finishing with an 84.2 passer rating.
Tennessee is anticipated to make big changes following its loss, including the likely loss of All-Pro running back Derrick Henry and receiver DeAndre Hopkins. The Titans currently hold the seventh pick in April’s NFL Draft.
