Convenience Big Store: A new OC won't matter unless Texans fix this one thing

Connect and Discover Sale

Gain digital access to local news.

Subscribe for 25¢

Sale Ends Feb. 9 | Cancel Anytime

C.J. Stroud's development as Texans' franchise QB is predicated on one big fix

Everyone is excited about who coach DeMeco Ryans will hire as his new offensive coordinator just a few days after he fired Bobby Slowik.

And I get it.

The Texans have a chance to turn their offenese around next year, after it flopped during the 2024 season.

But it doesn't matter who they hire, whether it's Chip Kelly, Ohio State's OC and one of the hottest names on the market, or whether it's Jerod Johnson, the Texans' current quarterbacks coach whom they were grooming for this job as recently as last August when Johnson called plays during the preseason.

It won't matter unless Houston fixes its biggest issue: Its offensive line and the person who coaches that unit.

"It's the most important on-the-field thing for a quarterback to play well," ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky said of the offensive line. "As a X's and O's person, I can always do things to help scheme people open up, help generate pass concepts that stress coverages. It's really hard to help another person stand in the way of another person."

Let's be honest. The job the offensive line did this season stunk. Tight end Dalton Schultz, whom the Texans used more this season in pass protection, also struggled.

The Texans didn't protect C.J. Stroud or backup Davis Mills (when he played), allowing 54 sacks, which was third-most in the NFL.

Stroud wasn't perfect. He missed open throws at times. He hesitated a bit. His 20 touchdown passes ranked 17th in the NFL. His 12 interceptions were fourth-most, all things he says he must improve.

But those things don't happen if the line does its part in protecting him.

"I don't think Bobby Slowik expected the unit to be so poor," Orlovsky said. "And trying to navigate that and adjust off of that is hard. But I don't know if they adjusted as well as they could have."

Read the rest of my column here.

Note: This newsletter will be sent once a week on Mondays during the offseason.

Jonathan M. Alexander, Texans beat reporter

jonathan.alexander@houstonchronicle.com

📬 JMA's Texans Mailbag

❓ Ask me anything! Follow me on X, formerly known as "Twitter," submit your questions here or hit reply to this email to be a part of my next mailbag.

Q: Are the Texans going to actively be looking for a new kicker? We need a more consistent kicker!!!? — Monica

JMA: I could see the Texans added a kicker for training camp to increase the competition and turn up the pressure on Ka'imi Fairbairn. But the likeliness that they will move on from him is extremely low.

Last offseason, they signed him to a three-year, $15.9 million contract extension. There would be penalties by cutting him before next season.

While he's missed important kicks in each of the past two playoffs, I think they are likely to stick with him giving how accurate he's been for much of his career. Kicking is all mental.

Texans Trivia!

Last week's trivia question: What were the nicknames of all the Texans' defensive linemen this year?

Last week's answer:

Will Anderson Jr. — The Terminator
Danielle Hunter — Cyborg
Denico Autry — Junkyard Dog
Foley Fatukasi — Big Dog
Mario Edwards — Wild Dog
Derek Barnett — Deadshot
Jerry Hughes — Unc
Kurt Hinish — Mr. Reliable
Tim Settle — Skinny Timmy
Dylan Horton — D-Horton

Shoutout to Justin Vickry for getting the Trivia question correct.

As for the winner for the entire season, I'll reveal that person in next Monday's newsletter.

Podcast

🎧 Texans Insider Podcast

On this week's episode of the Texans Insider podcast, we'll talk about the Texans' decision to part ways with Bobby Slowik and who makes the most sense at OC.

🎧 You can subscribe on any podcast platform, from Apple and Spotify to our landing page.

Listen Now

Kansas City vs. Philadelphia II: Early thoughts

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throws in the second quarter while being pressured by the Philadelphia Eagles defense during Super Bowl LVII Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (Rich Sugg/The Kansas City Star/TNS)

Photo by: Rich Sugg/TNS

The Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs will meet in the Super Bowl on Feb. 9 in New Orleans for the second time in three years.

Patrick Mahomes could win his fourth Super Bowl before turning 30. The guy is ridiculous.

But I think the Eagles have the advantage. They've got a great defense and a strong running game with Saquan Barkley, who was almost a Texan this year.

Who do y'all think will win?