Bill O'Brien Gives Up Texans Offensive Playcalling Duties and it's About Time
Bill O'Brien has been the head coach of the Houston Texans since 2014, and has called plays in nearly every game since he came aboard.
That offense has struggled during moments of his tenure despite its talent, however, and O'Brien has finally made the decision to give up the playcalling duties in 2020 in favor of offensive coordinator Tim Kelly.
Texans coach Bill O'Brien gives up play-calling duties https://t.co/BTAC6zRS6D
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) February 25, 2020
To say that this move was a long time coming is a major understatement.
The Texans ranked 13th in yards per game in 2019 after finishing 15th in 2018, but the main problem has always been success in the postseason. O'Brien has a playoff record of 2-4, and his offenses hav scored 16 or fewer points in three of those losses. The most infamous moment came this past season when his Texans fell 51-31 to the Kansas City Chiefs in a game that they once led by 24 points.
Tim Kelly will call plays for the #Texans in 2020. Carl Smith moves away from coaching QBs, will stay as an offensive consultant. Tim Kelly takes over QB postion. TJ Yates moves to assistant QB coach per OB. #Texans
— patrick (@PatDStat) February 25, 2020
Houston has too much talent on offense to struggle as much as it has under O'Brien in the postseason. A playcalling adjustment may suggest that the head coach has learned from his errors, but it also simply presents a different scapegoat if things go south once again in 2020.