Houston has found a new director for its offense.
The Texans are hiring Rams assistant coach Nick Caley as their offensive coordinator, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported Monday, per sources. Houston later announced the hire.
Caley replaces Bobby Slowik, who was fired after two seasons as Texans OC.
Slowik's dismissal came following an underwhelming 2024 campaign that saw C.J. Stroud's numbers decline in his second season.
While the Texans dealt with numerous injuries at wide receiver, the offensive line play was a crutch all season. As Houston limped into the postseason -- losing two of its last three regular-season games -- its inconsistencies on offense struck in the Divisional Round, producing just 14 points in a loss against the eventual AFC champion Chiefs.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans is now tabbing a first-time OC to turn things around.
A longtime assistant coach in New England, where he earned two Super Bowl rings on Bill Belichick's staff, Caley, 42, spent the past two seasons in Los Angeles as the Rams' tight ends coach under Sean McVay and added pass game coordinator to his title in 2024.
Caley will have plenty to work with in Houston, with Stroud being the most promising piece to build around. The star quarterback has forged great chemistry with wide receiver Nico Collins and tight end Dalton Schultz along his first two seasons, and running back Joe Mixon flourished upon his first campaign in Houston, producing the club's first 1,000-yard rushing season since Carlos Hyde had one in 2019.
However, there will be work to be had this offseason for Houston. Stefon Diggs, who suffered an ACL tear midway through 2024, enters free agency, and the Texans' emerging wideout, Tank Dell, faces a long recovery from the catastrophic knee injury he sustained in Week 16. Shoring up the offensive line, which has a stalwart left tackle in Laremy Tunsil, might also be chief among the Texans' offseason plans.
While it remains to be seen how Houston can build around Stroud this spring, Caley can now get to work on his effort in producing an offense that can compliment Ryans' emerging defense.
