Houston sports insider Lance Zierlein recently revealed an explosive story about CJ Stroud and former Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.
C.J. Stroud and Bobby Slowik Reportedly Fell Out in Texans Pre-Draft Process
According to Zierlein, there were tensions between Stroud and Slowik right from their first meeting. The Ohio State quarterback was put in a situation where the Texans’ then-offensive coordinator felt the need to “welcome him to the NFL.”
Speaking on a podcast recently, the insider began by alleging that Stroud had an iffy relationship with his Ohio State offensive staff as well, choosing to communicate only through head coach Ryan Day.
He then told a story about Stroud and Slowik getting off on the wrong foot during a pre-draft meeting:
“He comes into Houston. Bobby Slowik is trying to tell him some stuff and C.J. just says, ‘We call this whatever, XY switch (whatever it may be) at Ohio State.’ Apparently, maybe it happened a couple of times, and Bobby Slowik just jumped and said, ‘I don’t give a f**k what you called it at Ohio State — this is pro football.’ Bobby kinda got in his face about it. And C.J. is not one to back down at all.”
CJ Stroud & Bobby Slowik’s relationship started with an altercation. Listen to ESPN 97.5 🎙️ Host Lance Zierlein’s story ICYMI yesterday 👇 pic.twitter.com/tU2GcWELZp
— Robert Land | Houston Sports Talk Podcast Host (@HSTPodcast) January 28, 2025
“I don’t know if Bobby was testing him, I don’t know what the deal was. But C.J. jumped up and got back in his face. It was very contentious and they had to be broken up. Then, C.J. went to his next draft meeting and they said, ‘We asked C.J. how his last visit went and he said it went terrible.’”
Slowik was fired by the Texans on Jan. 24, nearly a week after their Divisional Round playoff exit. This was Houston’s second straight year getting a win and then crashing out of the playoffs, and their second exit in which their offense got stalled in the Divisional Round.
Stroud seemed to have hit a sophomore wall, with his stats regressing heavily in all areas from his rookie year. The Texans’ franchise player went from the longest streak of passes without an interception to a turnover machine. Stroud finished the regular season with 12 straight qualifying games without grading above a C on PFN’s QB+ rating.
Losing the likes of Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell ahead of the playoffs due to injuries also stunted their offensive variety. Nevertheless, whoever occupies the role after Slowik will have a ton of raw material to turn into an elite offense.