‘Time To Reload!’ Texans’ Collins Ready to Run it Back With Slowik

Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik’s impressive work in his first year calling the shots didn’t just catch the attention of the hometown fans. Teams across the league looked in his direction as the answer to their head coaching vacancies, and it’s hard to blame them. Slowik took an offense that wasn’t expected to be competitive, headlined by rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, and helped fuel Houston to the top of the AFC South. Stroud was phenomenal, limiting turnovers while aggressively threatening defenses downfield and between the numbers. The Texans were effective, fun to watch, and winning over the hearts of fans around the country. Slowik’s decision to stay in Houston – complete with a boost in pay – keeps the offense on the right track.

Receiver Nico Collins, who broke out in Slowik’s offense, reacted to the news that his coordinator chose the Texans over a promotion with another team.

“Time to reload! Time to pick up where we left off,” Collins said. “It’s definitely a blessing, great having everybody back, man. Great team, great people to be around.” Collins had broken out of the cast that his previous roles put him in. Instead of being used almost entirely as a boundary receiver meant to stretch the field and clear out windows for others, Collins saw his route tree expand as he moved across the formation. Slowik unlocked new ways to get his best receiver the ball and unleashed his skills after the catch that most did not anticipate. In turn, Collins finished his season with career-highs in targets (109), receptions (80), yards (1,297), and touchdowns (eight). He multiplied each of his previous bests – his receptions, yards, and touchdown marks were better than his previous two seasons … combined.

After exceeding expectations, Houston is now entrenched among the AFC’s long list of competitors who boast strong quarterback play. The return of injured quarterbacks like Joe Burrow, Aaron Rodgers, Justin Herbert, and Anthony Richardson is only going to make the road ahead more difficult, as will a first-place schedule and the offseason months giving coaches more time to prepare.

Collins seems ready to take that challenge on. “I feel like it’s time,” Collins said. “Can’t wait ‘til everybody gets back for OTAs. Everybody enjoys this break but I feel like we’re all on a mission. It’s gonna be fun.”

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Raiders Interview Pep Hamilton For OC

After being mentioned as someone who spoke with the Raiders in the aftermath of Kliff Kingsbury backing out of the offensive coordinator job, it has been confirmed that Pep Hamilton did, in fact, interview as an offensive coordinator candidate, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Initial thoughts were that the former Texans assistant coach was in the running for a position coaching job, but after allowing more information to come out, it appears Hamilton is in consideration for the play-calling role

Hamilton was out of the NFL in 2022, after failing to be retained following the firing of Lovie Smith in Houston. Before that, Hamilton earned his first NFL coordinator job with the Colts back in 2013, following quarterback Andrew Luck from Stanford to Indianapolis as his offensive coordinator. Despite being considered for the Raiders’ head coaching vacancy in 2014, Hamilton was fired midway through the following season.

The next several years would be eventful for Hamilton, seeing him spend a year in Cleveland, serving two years of a four-year contract with the University of Michigan, sitting out the 2019 season, and getting hired as the head coach and general manager of the DC Defenders of the XFL. Following his short XFL stint, Hamilton

was hired by the Chargers, where, as quarterbacks coach, he would help Justin Herbert to the offensive rookie of the year award. His success with Herbert led to his next opportunity under David Culley in Houston as passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Hamilton earned his promotion under Smith the following year.

In Vegas, Hamilton would be tasked with helping to determine the team’s currently uncertain future at quarterback. With veteran Jimmy Garoppolo and rookie fourth-round pick Aidan O’Connell on the roster, it doesn’t feel like the position is secure for the Raiders. This is what Hamilton’s competition for the job currently looks like:

Eric Bieniemy, offensive coordinator (Commanders): Spoke recently
Luke Getsy, former offensive coordinator (Bears): Interviewed 1/26
Pep Hamilton, former offensive coordinator (Texans): Interviewed
Chip Kelly, former head coach (Eagles/49ers): Interviewed twice
Thad Lewis, quarterbacks coach (Buccaneers): Interview requested
Kliff Kingsbury, senior offensive analyst (USC): Withdrew from consideration
Klint Kubiak, pass-game coordinator (49ers): May interview
Dan Pitcher, quarterbacks coach (Bengals): To interview 1/24; hired as Bengals OC
Zac Robinson, quarterbacks coach (Rams): Interview requested; hired as Falcons OC

Mike Sullivan, quarterback coach (Steelers): Interviewed 1/25
Alex Van Pelt, former offensive coordinator (Browns): Interviewed 1/25
Shane Waldron, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Mentioned as candidate; hired as Bears OC