Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud won Offensive Rookie of the Year under offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik in 2023, showcasing his ability to lead Houston’s offense with poise and precision. However, Stroud struggled in 2024, facing challenges that ultimately led to Slowik’s departure from the team.
Slowik has since moved to Miami, taking on the role of senior passing game coordinator, while Houston brought in Nick Caley to revamp the offensive scheme. Stroud, eager to take on a greater leadership role, expressed his desire for more control over the offense. On Monday, he emphasized that Caley’s system will allow him to “take control” on the field, giving him more responsibility in pre-snap adjustments to ensure his teammates are in the best possible position.
This shift marks a significant change for Stroud, who admitted that he hadn’t focused on pre-snap responsibilities in his first two seasons. The young quarterback is excited about the opportunity to shape the offense to his strengths, noting that Caley has already demonstrated trust in him despite their limited time working together.
“I’m going to get what I want, and that’s been really cool just to see that [Caley has] bought into me and he doesn’t really know me well yet,” Stroud said, via Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle. “He talked about it today, having blind trust, and I have a lot of trust in him already.”
Caley’s approach is expected to bring a new dynamic to Houston’s offensive strategy, allowing Stroud to operate with the same level of autonomy that quarterbacks like Matthew Stafford and Tom Brady enjoyed in similar systems. If Stroud can successfully adapt to this increased responsibility, the Texans could see a resurgence in their offensive production in the upcoming season.
