Anyone who watched the 2025 Houston Texans offense knows then-rookie offensive coordinator Nick Caley was driving the struggle bus into the bar ditch early and often. While bumping along the runway is an expectation of a first time coordinator, Caley’s press conferences didn’t do much to endear him to a fanbase that needed reassuring. Instead of owning the learning curve, Caley’s responses often seem as if he bristled at the very notion that anything could or was his fault.
But, he has to own the
“worst red zone offense in football” label his system earned the 2025 Texans.
Thankfully, this off-season has brought the team a lot of improvements across the board, including the offense. Player upgrades and quality additions. A new QB coach. Improved focus and determination from quarterback C.J. Stroud and a more growth-minded Caley.
Jonathan Alexander sat with Caley for a quality, in-depth interview recently. You can, and should, read his full piece on the Houston Chronicle site.
Some of the best takeaways, from my POV at least:
On last season:
[Caley] admits that perhaps he was a little too ambitious coming in as a first-time play-caller, realizing the personnel on the roster didn’t fit what he was initially trying to do.
On overall offensive changes for 2026, including adding great tight end depth and bringing in RB1 David Montgomery:
“You can get bigger on the edges,” Caley said. “You can deploy different types of blocking schemes with different surfaces that you’re attacking. Tight ends are an extension of the offensive line.
“We can get sturdy, we can control the edges, that always is going to help.”
Caley went on to discuss his relationship and view of new QB coach Jerry Schuplinski, who has mentored Caley since their days with the New England Patriots.
“He’s extremely thorough,” Caley said of Schuplinski. “He’s a phenomenal teacher. He has the ability to take things that can be complex at times and break them down into very simple elements.
“He pours everything he’s got into our staff and the quarterbacks, and he’s got a high level of intelligence, a high capacity, very little ego and an extremely strong work ethic.”
And then there’s Stroud:
“There was a lot of progress that C.J. and the offense made last year,” Caley said. “We continued to get better from the start of the season to the end of the regular season and just continued to make progress from week to week. So we’re going to continue to build on that. It’s a new year. C.J. has done a great job out here. Looks good. Locked in.
Take some time to read the full article, as always Alexander did a thorough job and unearthed some great insights.
Here’s to hoping the rumors of Nick Caley’s growth are more than just words.
