A year ago, Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik was one of the most sought-after names on the head-coaching market.
Slowik had joined the Texans alongside head coach DeMeco Ryans after their time with the Cowboys’ rival, the San Francisco 49ers, where Slowik served as the passing-game coordinator. Under his leadership, the Texans’ offense thrived, with rookie quarterback CJ Stroud delivering an impressive season.
Given Slowik and Ryans’ long history—six years together in San Francisco and two more in Houston—many were shocked on Friday when news broke that Ryans and the Texans decided to part ways with Slowik.
This development comes just a year after Slowik had been a candidate for head-coaching roles with teams such as Seattle, Washington, Carolina, and Atlanta. Though he didn’t secure a head-coaching position, Slowik capitalized on his popularity by negotiating a new deal with the Texans, complete with a pay raise.
Now, Slowik is out. While the Texans’ offense took a step back this season, much of that could be attributed to injuries, particularly among the wide receivers. Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and Stefon Diggs all missed significant time, leaving the offense shorthanded.
Despite the Texans’ decision, Slowik’s availability might present an opportunity for teams still searching for a head coach. Currently, only the Cowboys and Saints fit that description.
NFL Insider: No Interest in Bobby Slowik
According to Jane Slater of NFL Network, don’t expect the Cowboys to see Slowik’s firing as an appealing opportunity. In fact, Slater reported via Twitter/X that the Cowboys have no plans to consider Slowik for any role.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport initially shared the news on Twitter/X, writing:
“A major change in Houston: The #Texans are moving on from offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, sources say, after an up-and-down offensive season. Despite reaching the divisional round, coach DeMeco Ryans hopes for more. OL coach Chris Strausser is also out.”
Slater, who covers the Cowboys extensively, responded to the news, tweeting:
“And yes I just checked. Cowboys won’t be calling Bobby.”
She followed up with a single emoji that captures the state of the Cowboys at the moment: a shrug.
Cowboys Hiring Process: Schottenheimer or Bust?
In the last 24 hours, speculation has grown that the Cowboys will finalize a deal to promote offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer as their new head coach, replacing the departed Mike McCarthy. Reports on Thursday suggested that Schottenheimer was nearing a deal after the team spent five hours in a second-round interview with him.
However, newer reports indicate that Schottenheimer is the preferred candidate of executive VP Stephen Jones, son of owner and GM Jerry Jones. Interestingly, Jerry Jones appears less convinced, showcasing more creativity in the hiring process than his traditionally inflexible son.
Jerry Jones’ potential alternatives remain unclear. He reportedly held discussions with Pete Carroll about the job, only for Carroll to accept the Raiders’ head coaching position hours later. Other candidates who have been formally interviewed include former Jets head coach Robert Saleh and Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Additionally, Jerry Jones has had informal talks with Deion Sanders and former Packers special-teams coach Rich Bisaccia.
The process has been fluid and, at times, disorganized. But one thing is certain: Bobby Slowik is not part of the Cowboys’ plans.
