DeMeco Ryans isn’t just making adjustments—he’s reloading. After a season where Houston’s offense fell flat and the defense had its struggles, the Texans’ head coach knew tweaks wouldn’t cut it. So, there are two steps he took…

Step 1: Say goodbye to Bobby Slowik, and welcome Nick Caley. And then, Step 2: Enter two key hires. Jerry Schuplinski and Frank Okam.

This isn’t just about depth on the coaching staff. It’s about building a staff that can take Houston to the next level. And that level is NOT finishing 10-8, going down to the Chiefs in the Divisional Round. That’s where Schuplinski comes into the action as a veteran offensive assistant, adding another experienced voice alongside the new OC.

You want a guy who’s coached Tom Brady in the room when your young QB is figuring things out? Yeah, that sounds like a solid plan. Schuplinski has worked with Brady, Jimmy G, and Daniel Jones, so he’s seen it all—elite decision-making, mid-tier game management, and, well… the struggles of a guy trying to prove he belongs.

Make of that what you will, or trust the 3 SB rings he brings to Houston as an assistant to QB coach in the Dynasty era, making sure TB12’s trophy cabinet kept getting those new additions.

But I am pretty sure you can trust Garoppolo’s words when he said, “He taught me all the ins and outs of the playbook.” Now, that carries some weight when you consider he’d be dealing with C.J. Stroud, who’s looking to level up. So, having another experienced voice in his ear can’t hurt.

Stroud’s sophomore season wasn’t bad—3,727 yards, 20 touchdowns, 12 picks in 17 games. But good isn’t great, and he knows it. “There’s times where I sit back there, and I’m thinking too much,” he admitted after a rough loss to the Jets. That’s the kind of thing coaching can fix. Schuplinski’s job? Help Stroud process faster, trust his instincts, and start playing like the franchise QB Houston believes he can be.

Then, there’s the D. Which, to be honest, did well. Finished sixth in the league in yards allowed per game. The pass defense took a step forward, while the run defense stayed steady. Solid? Absolutely. But in a loaded AFC, good isn’t always good enough. So, that’s why you see why Okam is stepping in as the assistant defensive line coach. Suggesting that they want to be the best. And to be the best you make sure you just keep adding to the goods you’ve got. That’s what Okam is.

He’s worked with the Raiders and Panthers, but Houston fans might remember him from his playing days—he was a fifth-round pick for the Texans in 2008. Now, he’s back to help bolster a defensive front that struggled at times last season. His job? Get more out of the trenches and make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.

These aren’t just filler hires. Schuplinski and Okam are pieces of a larger puzzle. The Texans kept most of their staff intact, but these two additions show Ryans isn’t afraid to shake things up where needed.

DeMeco Ryan is sure Nick Caley will help CJ out of the rut

The Texans aren’t just flipping the script—they’re keeping the core of their coaching staff intact. DeMeco Ryans is making sure the foundation stays solid, heading into 2025. DC Matt Burke is back! Special teams? Locked in with Frank Ross. And on offense, Jerrod Johnson remains in charge of developing C.J. Stroud. Some assistants were let go, sure, but this staff still has plenty of familiar faces to build on that chemistry But the new additions only indicate their intent to keep going forward.

One of those fresh faces? Nick Caley. The former Pats assistant is stepping in as OC, replacing Bobby Slowik. It’s no secret the Texans’ offense underwhelmed last season. Injuries played their part, but even at full strength, things felt… off. The numbers back it up—19th in scoring, 22nd in yardage.

Not exactly what you’d expect from a team with CJ and a slew of playmakers. So Ryans made the call. “The reason we’re doing this is I think there’s another level that we can go to,” Ryans said via ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime. “My job is to take this organization to new heights, and I think hiring Nick will help us get there.”

Caley’s task? Get the best out of Stroud, who went through the classic sophomore slump. His 2024 numbers weren’t bad, but they weren’t enough. Even Stroud admitted it to overthinking at times… That’s a quarterback’s worst enemy. The Texans need him playing fast, playing free, and playing like the guy who lit up defenses as a rookie.

Of course, fixing the offense isn’t just about Stroud. The Texans need to upgrade the roster, too. The O-line was one of the worst in football last year. Tank Dell is likely out for the season with a knee injury. Stefon Diggs could walk in free agency. That’s a lot of firepower potentially missing. Houston needs reinforcements and fast.

Because even the best offensive coordinators can only scheme around so much. So, can Caley turn things around? Can he help Stroud regain his confidence? That’s the million-dollar question. But one thing’s for sure—DeMeco Ryans believes he can. Now, it’s time to prove it.