HOUSTON – When the Texans hired Nick Caley as their new offensive coordinator, the defending AFC South champions added a strategist with a successful background who’s stepped in two different offensive systems.
As the position coach for Rob Gronkowski, Caley learned a ton when he was with the New England Patriots on Super Bowl winning teams led by Bill Belichick and Tom Brady orchestrating Josh McDaniels’ game plan, personnel-tailored offensive systems.
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With the Los Angeles Rams as tight ends coach and passing game coordinator, Caley became well-versed and instrumental to what Sean McVay runs to capitalize on the skills of quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Puka Nacua.
Now, Caley takes over an offense in need of a boost after moving on from offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik after the Texans dipped to 22nd in total offense and 19th in scoring offense.
The best offensive player in franchise history, Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Andre Johnson, is a believer in Caley and how he can provide an edge for an offense that reached a crossroads last season with shortcomings in pass protection and a lack of adjustments to complex defensive schemes.
“I think it was a great hire,” Johnson told KPRC 2. “Very creative mind, just very excited. To see what we have right now for the organization, things have been trending in the right direction.
“At the end of the day, I thought Bobby was a great guy, great coach. You hate to see anyone get fired. I’m sure he’ll get another job somewhere else. I’m just excited about the season.”
Taking his cuts at the plate and fielding ground balls while soaking up the moment at Daikin Park during Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack HBCU softball classic as he met some of his favorite baseball players, Stroud counted himself as extremely fortunate.
The former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year was visibly excited about the experience and being a professional athlete in the city of Houston.
Two years into his tenure with the Texans, Stroud has made it to one Pro Bowl after his rookie year and declined an opportunity to participate in one this year. He’s won two AFC South division titles and a pair of wild-card round playoff games. And he’s passed for 7,835 career yards, 43 touchdowns and 17 interceptions for a respectable 93.7 passer rating.
And Stroud has made an impact off the field in the community through the foundation he and his mother, Kimberly, run with family members and partners. Being a part of this event is another way the 23-year-old California native stays involved and is accessible to fans in an event that supports baseball teams from historically Black colleges and universities.
“I love Houston, man,” Stroud said. “I pray every day and I just thank God for the opportunity to be here every day. So, I hope I’m here for 100 years and whatever the Lord allows me to be. I’m super, super blessed and grateful.”
Travis Scott’s star-studded softball game was a home run for HBCUs
From Johnson’s standpoint, he’s optimistic that the collaboration between Caley and Stroud will be mutually beneficial.
“I think it’s a great thing,” Johnson said. “(Caley) has worked with some great players and C.J. is a great player. I’m sure they’ll be picking each others’ brains. C.J. is a kid who really wants to learn. He’s always trying to do something to better himself. The future is bright for the organization. I can’t wait for next season.”
And Johnson hopes that veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs, a pending unrestricted free agent who’s making a speedy recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, is back for next season along with injured wide receiver Tank Dell.
“You always want to see a great player come back,” Johnson said. “You hate to see what happened with him tearing his ACL, even like what happened with Tank, those are things you never want to see in the game of football with two great players. Hopefully, Diggs is able to come back and continue to play here. I think he loves the city, loves the organization. We’ll see what happens.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.
