Texans’ Offensive Coordinator Bobby Slowik has decided not to pursue the head coaching position with the Washington Commanders, opting instead to return to Houston. This move follows a similar decision by Detroit Lions’ Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson, creating a setback for the Commanders’ head coaching search.
Ben Johnson conveyed his intention to stay with the Detroit Li
ons while the Commanders’ leadership was en route to interview him and Lions’ Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn. Subsequently, Bobby Slowik also withdrew from consideration for the final two head coaching vacancies, taking two highly regarded young offensive minds off the market.
At 36, Slowik would have been the youngest active head coach in the NFL. He had a notable connection with Commanders’ General Manager Adam Peters, having worked together for six years with the San Francisco 49ers. Slowik underwent two interviews for the head coaching position, one virtually and the other in-person.
During his time in San Francisco, Slowik served under Head Coach Kyle Shanahan, contributing to the success of the passing game in 2022 despite starting three different quarterbacks – Trey Lance, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Brock Purdy.
In the 2023 season with the Houston Texans, Slowik played a pivotal role in the development of rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, a strong candidate for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Taking charge of an offense that ranked poorly in various categories, Slowik led a remarkable improvement, bringing the Texans to the 12th position in yards, 13th in points, and 1st in giveaways.
Despite a modest ranking for the rushing offense, the passing game thrived under Slowik’s coordination, finishing 12th in pass attempts and touchdowns, 7th in passing yards, and 2nd in interceptions. C.J. Stroud, known for his college interceptions, demonstrated significant progress, throwing only five interceptions in his rookie campaign.
Stroud praised Slowik for his coaching style, emphasizing accountability and attention to detail. Slowik’s coaching approach, tailored to the specifics of the Texans, proved effective and earned him admiration from the rookie quarterback.
Bobby Slowik, hailing from a football-oriented family, with his father being a former NFL defensive coordinator and two brothers currently working in the NFL, brings a unique perspective to coaching. Having started his coaching career with the Washington Commanders in 2010, Slowik has since gained experience on both sides of the ball and outside of coaching, contributing to his well-rounded perspective.
As Slowik returns to Houston for the next season, the Commanders continue their search for Ron Rivera’s replacement, focusing particularly on defensive coordinators such as Aaron Glenn, Mike Macdonald of the Baltimore Ravens, and Dan Quinn of the Dallas Cowboys. While Johnson and Slowik were once considered potential favorites, the Commanders are now exploring other options to fill the vacant head coaching position.
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