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Raiders Interview Jerrod Johnson; Darrell Bevell Seen As OC Frontrunner

February 1st, 2025 at 6:50pm CST by Adam La Rose

This week has seen many coordinator dominoes fall around the NFL. The Raiders are among the teams still in need of an OC hire, though, and their search on that front continues.

[RELATED: Raiders Retain Patrick Graham As DC]

Vegas has interviewed Jerrod Johnson for the offensive coordinator vacancy, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reports. That marks the third opening Houston’s quarterbacks coach has been connected to for this year’s hiring cycle. The meeting represents the fourth time a candidate has been linked to the Raiders’ opening, although only the second to take part in a known interview.

Johnson has been a full-time NFL coach since 2020, having previously spent time with the Colts and Vikings. He was part of DeMeco Ryans’ initial Texans staff, and he continued in his role as QBs coach this past season. The 35-year-old has a relationship with C.J. Stroud predating their time together in Houston, a factor which helps make him a logical internal replacement candidate for the Texans. Johnson recently interviewed for Bobby Slowik’s former position, while the Jets were also named as a potential landing spot (although they have since hired Tanner Engstrand as their OC).

While Johnson has received consideration for the Vegas gig, he does not appear to be in pole position. Darrell Bevell is expected to be the eventual Raiders hire in this case, per KRPC2’s Aaron Wilson. That update comes as no surprise considering Bevell’s history with head coach Pete Carroll. The two worked together from 2011-17 with the Seahawks, the second of four NFL teams Bevell has served as an OC for. The 55-year-old has spent the past three seasons as the Dolphins’ QBs coach and pass-game coordinator.

Shortly after Bevell’s name surfaced as a strong contender, the Raiders interviewed him. A fifth OC opportunity could soon await him as a result, although as Wilson notes the team’s search is still active. It will be interesting to see if Johnson draws strong interest from Vegas with a Houston promotion still possible as things stand. In any case, the Raiders could still expand their list of candidates during the waning stages of the hiring cycle.

Via PFR’s OC/DC Tracker, here is an updated look at where things stand with the Raiders:

Texans Expected To Interview Adam Stenavich For OC Job

February 1st, 2025 at 8:57am CST by Ben Levine

After missing out on head coaching and coordinator gigs this offseason, Adam Stenavich is once again participating in an active interview cycle. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, the Packers offensive coordinator is expected to interview for the same job with the Texans.

The 41-year-old has been a relatively popular name this offseason. Stenavich interviewed for the Bears head coaching job before it went to Ben Johnson, and he was a candidate for the Seahawks OC job before Klint Kubiak was hired.

Stenavich has spent most of his NFL coaching career in Green Bay. He spent two years as the offensive line coach before earning the added responsibility of run game coordinator in 2021. When Nathaniel Hackett left for Denver, Stenavich earned the promotion to offensive coordinator, a job he’s held for the past three seasons.

While the OC doesn’t call offensive plays in Green Bay, he does work closely with Matt LaFleur to devise game plans and strategy. The Packers finished this past season ranked fifth in total offense and eighth in points per game.

With Bobby Slowik out in Houston, the Texans have cast a wide net trying to find a replacement. The team’s current list of OC candidates includes:

Texans Add Brian Johnson, Grant Udinski To List Of OC Candidates

January 30th, 2025 at 6:43pm CST by Ben Levine

The Texans have cast a relatively wide net in their search for a new offensive coordinator, and we’ve got two more names to add to the growing list of candidates. According to FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz, the Texans have requested an interview with Commanders pass game coordinator Brian Johnson. Meanwhile, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the team interviewed Vikings coach Grant Udinski today.

Johnson would bring plenty of experience to Houston. The long-time coach had three stops as offensive coordinator in the college ranks, guiding the offenses at Utah, Houston, and Florida. He broke into the NFL in 2021 when he was named as the Eagles quarterbacks coach, and he quickly earned a promotion to offensive coordinator in 2023.

His stint as Philly’s OC left plenty to be desired, with pundits criticizing his lack of offensive creativity. To his credit, the Eagles still ranked top-ten in both yards and points that season, but Johnson was canned following that campaign. He quickly landed on his feet in Washington, where he was recruited by Dan Quinn to be the Commanders’ new offensive pass-game coordinator. Working alongside OC Kliff Kingsbury, the team squeezed a standout season out of rookie Jayden Daniels, and that performance apparently put Johnson back on the coordinator radar.

Udinski has spent the majority of his coaching career in Minnesota, working his way up from an assistant to his current role of assistant offensive coordinator/assistant quarterbacks coach. Plenty of teams have been enamored by the Kevin O’Connell-led offense, especially after the Vikings got a career-best season from Sam Darnold. As a result, Udinski garnered interest from the Patriots, Seahawks, and Buccaneers for their respective OC vacancies.

Following the Texans’ sudden decision to move on from Bobby Slowik, the team has looked far and wide for a new offensive leader. As our 2025 NFL Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Search Tracker shows, the team’s current list of candidates includes:

Texans To Interview Bill Lazor For OC

January 29th, 2025 at 8:45pm CST by Adam La Rose

In the wake of their decision to fire Bobby Slowik, the Texans have been linked to several offensive coordinator candidates. Three of them are within the organization, with one internal option already conducting an interview.

That list is set to grow to two. Senior offensive assistant Bill Lazor has a meeting lined up with the Texans for the offensive coordinator spot, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports. This interview will take place tomorrow, he adds.

Lazor’s coaching experience dates back to 1994, and it includes OC stints at both the college and NFL levels. His most recent opportunity on that front came with the Bears (2020-21), something which was followed by a one-year absence from the sidelines in any capacity. Lazor joined DeMeco Ryans‘ first Texans staff and he has held his current role for the past two years as a result.

The 52-year-old has worked as a coordinator three times in the NFL, but his Dolphins, Bengals and Bears stints each lasted only two seasons. Houston will no doubt be looking for a greater degree of stability at the OC spot, especially after moving on from Slowik following his own two-year run. The Texans regressed on offense (something which was caused at least to an extent by injuries along the offensive line and at the receiver position) in 2024, but a bounce-back would be welcomed as part of the team’s efforts to make a deeper run in the AFC playoffs next season.

Lazor was quickly named as a potential Slowik replacement in the wake of the OC change being made, so it comes as no surprise an interview will take place. He and QBs coach Jerrod Johnson are joined by Ben McDaniels as internal options to take over from Slowik. After Ryans tapped a familiar face (dating back to their shared time with the 49ers) for his first OC hire, it will be interesting to see if he does the same this time around.

Via PFR’s coordinator tracker, here is an updated look at the Texans’ search:

Texans Interview Thad Lewis For OC Job, To Meet With Nick Caley

January 28th, 2025 at 9:46pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

After moving on from Bobby Slowik last week, the Texans have added two more names to their list of offensive coordinator candidates.

Buccaneers quarterbacks coach Thad Lewis already interviewed for the job, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, and and Rams pass-game coordinator and tight ends coach Nick Caley will interview on Thursday, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.

This is Lewis’ first connection to an OC vacancy after a short but successful coaching career in Tampa Bay. The 39-year-old, a former NFL quarterback himself, coached Baker Mayfield to the two best seasons of his career in 2023 and 2024, the latter of which featured top-three finishes in passing yards, passing touchdowns, completion percentage, and success rate. Mayfield’s 106.8 passer rating in 2024 was 106.8, 10 points higher than his previous record, a remarkable turnaround for the former No. 1 overall pick. That reflects well on Lewis and will likely keep him in OC conversations in future offseasons if he doesn’t get the job in Houston.

Caley was a longtime Patriots assistant under Bill Belichick before joining the Rams in 2023 as tight ends coach. He added pass-game coordinator to his title in 2024, helping Los Angeles manage injuries to Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua on their way to the playoffs. While the Rams’ tight ends haven’t put up flashy statistics under Caley, they have been a crucial part of the offense as blockers. The 39-year-old coach has already interviewed for the Buccaneers’ OC job and has been mentioned as a frontrunner for the same gig with the Jets.

While Lewis has not worked directly under McVay, he will still be a branch on McVay’s coaching tree after working under Liam Coen in Tampa Bay. Coen began his NFL coaching career as an offensive assistant in Los Angeles in 2018 and later served as offensive coordinator in 2022.

Lewis and Caley are the third and fourth official candidates on Texans’ OC list, though a few additional coaches have been connected with the position. Here’s an overview of their search so far:

Texans Interview Jeff Nixon For OC

January 27th, 2025 at 11:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

After Bobby Slowik went from HC candidate to coordinator free agency, the Texans are moving with their replacement search. They have completed their interview with quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson, and another meeting is also in the books.

Syracuse offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon met with the Texans about the position, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. Nixon arrived at the ACC program last year, joining as Fran Brown took the Orange’s reins, but has NFL experience. He was in the league most recently as Giants running backs coach in 2023.

Nixon, 50, was a Matt Rhule staffer who followed him from Baylor to the Panthers in 2020. Nixon was Rhule’s RBs coach for three seasons in Carolina, finishing out the 2022 campaign after the HC’s early-season dismissal. Nixon coached the Dolphins running backs from 2011-15 and served as a 49ers assistant under Chip Kelly in 2016. He signed on as Rhule’s co-OC at Baylor a year later, beginning his path with the short-term NFL leader.

The Texans have now complied with the Rooney Rule, as Nixon is Black. While GM and HC vacancies require in-person meetings with at least two external minorities, OC and DC posts only require one such interview. This is not Nixon’s first NFL OC meeting, however, as he met about the Cowboys’ vacancy — one that went to Brian Schottenheimer — in 2023.

Riding impressive showings from NFL-bound skill players LeQuint Allen and Oronde Gadsden II, the Orange went 10-3 this past season and ranked 21st nationally with 34.6 points per game. That marked a significant jump from 2023, when Syracuse’s 23.5 PPG number ranked 92nd.

Houston has been linked to Kelly, who was DeMeco Ryans‘ final NFL HC, joining Jacksonville in that regard. Kelly would stand to be more attracted to the Texans’ opening, as it would come with play-calling duties; Liam Coen will call plays for the Jaguars. But a Johnson promotion, and now a Nixon hire, sit on the radar as well.

Texans To Conduct OC Interview With Jerrod Johnson; Jets Also Interested

January 27th, 2025 at 1:35pm CST by Adam La Rose

For each of the past two seasons, the Texans have advanced to the divisional round of the postseason. In spite of that success, the team made a coordinator change by firing offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.

In the wake of that decision, a shortlist of replacement candidates emerged. One of those was quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson, so to no surprise he is set to speak with the Texans for the coordinator gig. Houston will interview him this week, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports.

Johnson has a relationship with quarterback C.J. Stroud dating back to 2019. Last season’s Offensive Rookie of the Year has been complimentary of Johnson during his time with the Texans, and it would be sensible to allow the two to continue working together. Their dynamic would of course change in the event Johnson were to be promoted to OC, but it is a possibility to watch for.

The Texans are not alone in being interested for Johnson, though. Wilson adds the Jets are “expected to pursue an interview” with the 36-year-old. Aaron Glenn is in place as New York’s head coach, but he has yet to fill the offensive or defensive coordinator spots. A list of Jets OC candidates is already in place, but plenty of time remains for it to grow to include Johnson.

A former undrafted free agent, Johnson’s playing career saw him spend time in the NFL, CFL and UFL from 2011-16. His coaching tenure started in 2017, and after a one-year stint with the 49ers he spent three seasons on the Colts’ staff. Johnson worked as an offensive quality control coach there before moving on to the Vikings as their assistant QBs coach. A member of DeMeco Ryans’ initial Texans staff, Johnson has held his current title since 2023.

Via PFR’s OC/DC Tracker, here is an updated look at the Texans’ ongoing coordinator search:

2025 NFL Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Search Tracker

January 26th, 2025 at 9:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Last year, half the league changed up at offensive and defensive coordinator. As most HC-needy teams have now filled their open positions, the coordinator carousel has accelerated. Here is how the market looks now. When other teams make changes, they will be added to the list.

Updated 2-21-25 (1:59pm CT)

Offensive coordinators

Chicago Bears (Out: Chris Beatty)

Cleveland Browns (Out: Ken Dorsey)

Dallas Cowboys (Out: Brian Schottenheimer)

Detroit Lions (Out: Ben Johnson)

  • John Morton, pass-game coordinator (Broncos): Hired

Houston Texans (Out: Bobby Slowik)

Jacksonville Jaguars (Out: Press Taylor)

Las Vegas Raiders 

New England Patriots (Out: Alex Van Pelt)

New Orleans Saints (Out: Klint Kubiak)

New York Jets (Out: Nathaniel Hackett)

Philadelphia Eagles (Out: Kellen Moore)

  • Kevin Patullo, pass-game coordinator (Eagles): Promoted

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks (Out: Ryan Grubb)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Out: Liam Coen)

Defensive coordinators

Atlanta Falcons (Out: Jimmy Lake)

Chicago Bears (Out: Eric Washington)

Cincinnati Bengals (Out: Lou Anarumo)

Dallas Cowboys (Out: Mike Zimmer)

Detroit Lions (Out: Aaron Glenn)

  • Larry Foote, inside linebackers coach (Buccaneers): Interviewed
  • Kelvin Sheppard, linebackers coach (Lions): Promoted

Indianapolis Colts (Out: Gus Bradley)

Jacksonville Jaguars (Out: Ryan Nielsen)

  • Anthony Campanile, linebackers coach/running game coordinator (Packers): Hired
  • Jonathan Cooley, pass-game coordinator (Panthers): Interview requested
  • Patrick Graham, former defensive coordinator (Raiders): Interviewed 1/27
  • Daronte Jones, defensive pass-game coordinator (Vikings): Interviewed 1/27
  • Aubrey Pleasant, defensive pass-game coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/28

Las Vegas Raiders 

New England Patriots (Out: DeMarcus Covington)

  • Ryan Crow, outside linebackers coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/21
  • Terrell Williams, defensive line coach (Lions): Hired

New Orleans Saints (Out: Joe Woods)

New York Jets (Out: Jeff Ulbrich)

  • Chris Harris, former defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator (Titans): Interviewed 1/29
  • Steve Wilks, former defensive coordinator (49ers): To be hired

San Francisco 49ers (Out: Nick Sorensen)

Chip Kelly Reportedly A Popular OC Target; Jaguars, Texans Interested

January 26th, 2025 at 8:31am CST by Rory Parks

Last offseason, former Eagles and 49ers head coach Chip Kelly interviewed at least twice for the Raiders’ offensive coordinator job, a job that ultimately went to Luke Getsy (who lasted only nine games in Las Vegas). Kelly could finally find his way back to the NFL this offseason, as sources tell Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports that the 61-year-old is at the top of the wishlist for several OC-needy teams.

Currently the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach for Ohio State – which just captured the CFP National Championship – Kelly was a coveted head coaching candidate back when the Eagles hired him to replace Andy Reid in 2013. He guided that Philadelphia outfit to the playoffs and added a second straight 10-win campaign in 2014, despite losing starting QB Nick Foles to injury during the season. While that Eagles squad narrowly missed the playoffs, Kelly’s early success prompted owner Jeffery Lurie to demote Howie Roseman and let his HC run on-field and personnel operations in 2015. That made for a memorable year, one that ended with Kelly’s in-season ouster and Roseman being restored as GM. The 49ers hired Kelly as HC in 2016, but after a 2-14 season, the team made him a one-and-done and pivoted to Kyle Shanahan. 

Kelly, who operated as the UCLA head coach from 2018-23 before heading to Columbus last year, has long wanted to return to the professional level, and this may be his time to do it. Sources say that the Jaguars are interested, and although Jones suggests that the Jacksonville job may not be a great fit – since new HC Liam Coen is likely to serve as the club’s offensive play-caller – the Texans could represent a viable landing spot.

After all, Kelly was Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans’ HC when Ryans was finishing out his playing career in Philadelphia, and since Ryans calls Houston’s defensive plays, Kelly could call the offense without interference. Jones and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com confirm prior reports indicating that Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson – who generated considerable external interest for OC positions last year – is also a strong option to replace the recently-fired Bobby Slowik.

Speaking of Slowik, who worked as Houston’s offensive coordinator for the first two years of Ryans’ HC tenure, his inability to develop as a play-caller and game plan builder is what cost him his job, as sources tell Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. While injuries to top wideouts Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs, and Tank Dell obviously undermined Slowik’s efforts, the coach was also criticized for his inability to adjust to opposing defenses. That contributed to more hits and sacks for quarterback C.J. Stroud, who regressed in his second pro season.

The offense as a whole took a significant step back from its 2023 production, which positioned Slowik as a popular name in last offseason’s head coaching carousel. Nonetheless, Wilson says the now-vacant OC gig is considered a desirable one given the presence of so many offensive standouts (including Stroud).

Like Jones and Rapoport, Wilson identifies Johnson as a legitimate candidate to replace Slowik, especially since he enjoys a strong relationship with his young signal-caller (the two began working together when Stroud was just 16). 

“One thing that I can say about Jerrod, you talk about somehow who knows how to play the position of quarterback and knows how to relay something, but also just a great person, man,” Stroud said. “A guy who loves football, he loves Houston, he loves Texas. He loves his family, he’s a great family man. Someone who has just taught me a tremendous amount of information, but on top of that, put a lot of confidence into me as well.”

The Texans’ search is going to be a wide-ranging one, and as we noted previously, it may also include senior offensive assistant Bill Lazor and wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator Ben McDaniels (though if Houston chooses to promote from within, McDaniels is not as likely as Johnson or Lazor to get the job). Wilson again mentions Saints OC Klint Kubiak as a logical external option. 

Wilson is not as convinced as other reporters that Kelly wants to return to the NFL, but it’s worth noting that Ryans does think highly of his former head coach.

“[Kelly] was a master motivator, but he was always an innovator,” Ryans said shortly after he was hired by the Texans. “Chip Kelly, he was always on the cutting edge. Always looking for ways to get better with sports science, technology.”

When the Texans fired Slowik, they also canned offensive line coach Chris Strausser. Wilson and Rapoport say assistant OL coach Cole Popovich has a chance to replace Strausser, with Wilson adding that offensive assistants Jarrod James and Leander Wallace and defensive assistant Ryan Milus have seen their contracts expire and are unlikely to return.

Texans Part Ways With Team President Greg Grissom

January 25th, 2025 at 2:38pm CST by Ely Allen

This week the Texans parted ways with team president Greg Grissom, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. The decision to depart was reportedly an amicable one, as Grissom leaves after 23 years with the franchise.

Grissom has been a part of the Texans’ organization in some capacity since the team’s inaugural season in 2002. He held a number of roles in his time with the franchise, working his way through different positions in business and sponsorship development to senior vice president of corporate development.

In 2021, Grissom took over the team president role, accepting the job in his 20th season with the team. His time as president saw him manage the Texans’ management and business operations. Specifically, he oversaw responsibilities in marketing and communications, digital and social media, community relations, ticket sales and membership services, event management and operations, business analytics, IT, and corporate sponsorships.

Texans owner and chief executive officer Cal McNair said in a statement that, despite only four years in his current role, Grissom had been very productive. He helped “implement numerous initiatives to help (the) organization fearlessly evolve and grow in many ways,” per NFL.com.

In a statement of his own, Grissom cited the chance “to embrace new challenges and opportunities” as the reason for his departure. He expressed his thanks to the McNair family and many other job connections through the team, the corporate and civic leaders, and the community in Houston.

Grissom succeeded longtime president Jamey Rootes in the position in 2021. Rootes retired from the job after 20 years in the position and sadly passed away at the age of 56 the following year. With Grissom now gone, the Texans will be looking for the third team president in their young history.

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