The Jets interviewed their 11th and 12th coaching candidates on Thursday.
Gang Green met with both Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
Slowik, 37, was born in Princeton, N.J. He has been the Texans’ offensive coordinator for the last two seasons. Previously, Slowik spent six seasons with the 49ers and served as their passing game coordinator in 2022.
Slowik was a popular coaching candidate after Houston won the AFC South in 2023 with a 10-7 record. He interviewed with the Commanders, Falcons, Seahawks, Panthers, and Titans for their coaching position.
The Jets are the only team that has requested Slowik for a coaching interview so far this year. He has no prior head coaching experience.
In 2023, the Texans finished 12th in yards (342.4) and 13th in points per game (22.2). However, Houston’s offense dropped this season despite finishing 10-7 again and winning its division. The Texans were 22nd in yards (319.7) and 19th in points per game (21.9).
Slowik has been praised for his work with C.J. Stroud, the 2023 No. 2 overall pick. After Stroud was drafted, Slowik built an offense around his skill set. Houston’s offense is a West Coast system predicated on timing, sound footwork, and ball placement. Stroud won the 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award and was named to the Pro Bowl after passing for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and five interceptions.
During his two seasons in Slowik’s system, Stroud has thrown for 7,835 yards, 43 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions.
Unlike Slowik, Smith has prior head coaching experience, as he was the Falcons coach from 2021-23. He was hired after a successful stint as the Titans offensive coordinator, during which the team made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons (2019-20). Atlanta fired Smith last January after three consecutive seasons, 7-10, and zero playoff appearances.
Pittsburgh hired Smith as its offensive coordinator. This season, the Steelers finished 23rd in yards (319.4) and finished 16th in the NFL in points (22.4) per game. Their offense did improve in total points, yards, and turnovers from 2023 to 2024.
Smith offenses are known for emphasizing running the football. The Steelers were ranked fourth in the NFL in rushing attempts this season. However, they ranked 20th in yards per carry (4.1).
Pittsburgh’s offense was heavily criticized for its lack of creativity, including its Wild Card loss to the Ravens last Saturday. Baltimore defeated Pittsburgh 28-14 and held the Steelers to 280 total yards, including 29 rushing yards.
Reportedly, Smith and Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson did not have a good working relationship, according to Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show. There were also reports that Smith favorited backup quarterback Justin Fields over Wilson, who led the Steelers to a 4-2 start before he was benched.
Wilson led the Steelers to six wins in his first seven starts. However, the team faded late, losing their final five games of the season and their lead in the AFC North.
The Jets have cast a wide net in their search for a new coach and general manager after firing Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas in the middle of a 5-12 season.
Jets owner Woody Johnson hired The 33rd Team, led by former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum, to identify candidates and coordinate interviews.
Ron Rivera, Mike Vrabel, Rex Ryan, Matt Nagy, Aaron Glenn, Mike Locksley, Steve Spagnuolo, Darren Rizzi, and Jeff Ulbrich have all been interviewed for the Jets coaching position. Vrabel was hired as the coach of the Patriots on Jan. 12.