After acquiring Adam Peters, a former executive of the San Francisco 49ers, as a general manager, the Washington Commanders are now attempting to accomplish the same in the head coaching market. Washington has been searching far and wide since firing Ron Rivera on January 8, but they might end up going back to a man who Peters knows a lot about: Bobby Slowik, the offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans. The 36-year-old Slowik was the 49ers’ passing game coordinator in 2022, helping to arrange the team’s success despite starting three different players: Trey Lance, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Brock Purdy. Slowik served as Kyle Shanahan’s coach for six years.
Peters and Slowik both came to the Bay Area in 2017; Slowik served as defensive quality control and Peters as vice president of player personnel during their time there. After climbing the ranks, they both left for positions of greater responsibility elsewhere: Peters to the commanders and Slowik to the Texans.
Following DeMeco Ryans move from San Francisco to Houston in the spring of last year, Slowik managed the growth of rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, who is the clear favourite to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. The offence that Slowik took over was 30th in terms of points and giveaways and 31st in terms of yards. With Slowik at the helm as offensive coordinator for just a single season, the Texans rose to No. 12, No. 13, and No. 1 in each of those three categories. The Texans’ offence, led by Slowik and Stroud, finished second in interceptions, seventh in passing yards, and 12th in throw attempts and touchdowns. One major risk associated with rookie quarterbacks is turnover risk. With 25 starts in college, Stroud threw 12 interceptions. In his 19 starts during his debut season, he only completed five passes. When questioned about how Slowik has affected him this season, Stroud was all praise for Slowik’s offence, which proved to be risk-averse and well-suited to him. “When I came in, I knew he was going to push me hard,” Stroud stated. “During the year, he held me to a standard. held me responsible. When you’re playing well, folks tend to kind of leave you alone and let you do what you do.”I liked that Bobby was constantly nagging me about the tiny things in my job since you don’t often get that.” Bob Slowik, a 10-year NFL defensive coordinator who last worked with the Denver Broncos in 2008, is Slowik’s father. His two brothers, Steve, an area scout for the 49ers, and David, the coach of the Miami Dolphins’ outside linebackers, are both employed in the NFL right now. Slowik naturally has playing experience; in 2008, while a receiver at Michigan Tech University, he was named to the all-conference team. Having begun his coaching career with the Commanders, formerly the Redskins, in 2010 and contributing to the operations of the coaching staff department through 2013, he also has an inherent familiarity with the D.C. location. Slowik did not coach from 2014 to 2016; instead, he worked as an analyst for Pro Football Focus. In 2017, he went back to work as a defensive quality control assistant in San Francisco.
He has essentially worked on both sides of the ball and lived off the field. It has given him a distinct viewpoint and strengthened his bond with Stroud. “He was always just hard on me, but he also showed me a lot of love—a ton of love,” recalled Stroud. “Excellent knowledge base; capable of tearing apart a defence. has a great deal of faith in his players and has never strayed from his expertise.”Naturally, he adjusted his teaching to fit the needs of the Texans, but I could still respect that he did what was truly in his heart.” Slowik has conducted virtual interviews with the Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, and Carolina Panthers; the Commanders are not the only team showing interest in him. Two days following its virtual introduction, Washington met with Slowik in person on Tuesday; nevertheless, neither Peters nor Slowik needed to know each other beforehand.
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