NFL Rumors: Texans, QB Coach Jerrod Johnson Agree to New Contract amid OC Interest

Tyler Conway@@jtylerconwayFeatured Columnist IVJanuary 31, 2024

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The Houston Texans reportedly agreed to a new contract with quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Johnson plans to eschew interest in him as an offensive coordinator to remain in Houston.

Johnson, 35, bounced around professional football before embarking on a coaching career in 2017, joining the San Francisco 49ers under the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship. He quickly developed a reputation for being able to relate to young quarterbacks and did yeoman’s work during CJ Stroud’s rookie season in 2023.

“I’ve known Jerrod since I was 16. I was in Elite 11 with him. He was my quarterback coach there,” Stroud told reporters this month. “One thing I can say about Jerrod, you talk about somebody who knows how to play the position of quarterback and knows how to relay something, but also just a great person who loves football.”

The Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots interviewed Johnson for their offensive coordinator job. He got far along in the process with the Saints, earning a second interview this week, which may have forced the Texans’ hand into giving him a hefty raise.

Houston also agreed to a new contract with offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, who was getting head-coaching buzz around the league. Retaining Slowik and Johnson—at least for next season—should help Stroud and the emerging Texans offense continue to blossom. If Slowik winds up taking a head-coaching job in the next round of hires next offseason, Johnson would likely be his natural successor.