Texans may lose Bobby Slowik in the near future | Sporting News

The Bears are officially on the hunt for their next head coach, a search that could see General Manager Ryan Poles on a plane ride to Houston sometime soon. 

After firing third-year coach Matt Eberflus on Friday – the first time the Bears have terminated a head coach midway through a season in their 105-year history – a long list of candidates now stands in line as potential replacements, including Texans offensive coordinator, Bobby Slowik. 

A week ago, Slowik was listed as a potential candidate for the head job in Chicago by USA Today reporter Jack McKessy, who wrote: 

“Matt Eberflus is perhaps the clearest example of a sitting duck head coach since, well, former Bears head coach Matt Nagy (remember the reports he’d be fired after Thanksgiving in 2021?). Chicago has been on a downward spiral ever since the Week 8 loss to the Commanders on Jayden Daniels’ Hail Mary pass. The Bears have already fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron after less than one full season, and some signs are pointing to a lost locker room in Chicago. For the second time in four years, the team appears set to fire its head coach one season after drafting a rookie quarterback.” 

McKessy’s crystal ball proved accurate in predicting Eberflus’ departure, and although the Texans’ offense has struggled down the stretch this season, Slowik’s 2023 resume still makes him one of the top contenders on the coaching carousel. 

After spending time with DeMeco Ryans in San Francisco, Slowik was appointed offensive coordinator in Houston last year, steering the Texans to a Wild Card win over the Browns in C.J. Stroud’s breakout Offensive Rookie of the Year season. 

Slowik signed on for another season in Houston back in January, also interviewing for head coaching jobs in Carolina, Atlanta, Washington, Tennessee, and Seattle over the offseason. 

Bobby Slowik on last years offense vs this years offense:

“I’m pretty positive our offense is better right now” pic.twitter.com/vzmyjMRUrw

— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) November 28, 2024

Houston’s offense has taken a step back this year, suffering serious second-half scoring droughts behind an offensive line that has surrendered the fifth-most sacks. 

Stroud’s turnover battles are as much on the quarterback as they are Slowik’s play calling, but with connections to Kyle Shanahan, he’ll still be viewed as a Top 10 candidate in Chicago or any other city in need of a new coach between now and next season.