One of the biggest weaknesses for the Houston Texans in 2024 was their offensive line. The unit allowed the third highest pressure rate in the NFL last season – allowing C.J. Stroud to be pressured on 39% of his dropbacks according to Pro Football Focus. The Texans also gave up 54 sacks, which tied for third in the NFL behind the Cleveland Browns (66) and Chicago Bears (68).
With numbers like that, changes had to be made. The Texans fired offensive line coach earlier in the offseason, and replaced offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik with Nick Caley. These moves were expected when the season came to a close, but what many didn’t expect was the promotion of assistant offensive line coach Cole Popovich to the full-time position in the trenches.
Keeping one of the figures who had a key role in coaching the offensive line sounds like a disaster. But Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans had a good reason for promoting Popovich.
Texans Head Coach DeMeco Ryans Had a Good Reason for Promoting Cole Popovich
Ryans addressed the media when he introduced Caley last week and revealed his process while deciding to promote Popovich. While the offensive line struggled, Ryans cited Popovich’s previous relationship with Caley during his time with the New England Patriots as a reason he wanted to keep him on the staff.
“Cole as our offensive line coach to lead that room, just having one voice to lead it. I feel really strong about that,” Ryans said via Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle. “Cole helped a lot of our young players when it came to developing. He had a really great relationship with a lot of guys and I think very highly of Cole and what he’s able to do."
"I think him having a prior relationship with Nick as well, and them being able to work together and them to hit the ground running instantly, I think that also led to my decision, and I know we’ll be better for it."DeMeco Ryans
Caley joined the Patriots as an offensive assistant in 2015 and Popovich joined as an assistant one year later. The two parted ways after the 2020 season when Popvich became the offensive line coach at Franklin High School in Massachusetts while Caley left to become the Los Angeles Rams tight ends coach in 2023. Popovich returned to the NFL with the Texans in 2023 and Caley reunited by taking the offensive coordinator position last month.
While keeping Popovich around creates some anxiety, there are some things to build on. Jarrett Patterson broke out at center under Popovich’s watch, and the Texans were able to clear the way for Joe Mixon to run for 1,016 yards in his first year in Houston.
It leads to an intriguing first step to solve the Texans’ offensive line woes and could lead to a bounce-back season in the trenches in 2025.