March 31, 2026, 3:03 p.m. CT
DeMeco Ryans knew when it was time to make a move for a new quarterbacks coach, there was only one name for the Houston Texans to target.
Longtime coach Jerrod Johnson and the Texans elected to part ways after another playoff loss in the divisional round back in January. The move was necessary after C.J. Stroud took a step back with seven turnovers in two playoff outings.
But the Texans figured this late into the process, whoever would come in must have ties to the current staff. The pick? Jerry Schuplinski, the right-hand man of second-year offensive coordinator Nick Caley, that built a budding relationship with the Pro Bowl passer.
“Jerry was great,” Ryans told reporters at the annual league meetings in Phoenix on Tuesday morning. “He’s been a great guy to work with. He’s another guy that brings great energy to the building. Always positive energy every single day, so I’m excited to see Jerry working with C.J., Davis (Mills), Graham (Mertz) and seeing how he can really move the needle with that group.”
Schuplinski has over a dozen years of coaching experience under his belt, including working with former New England Patriots star and seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady. Last season, he worked with Caley as an offensive assistant and assistant quarterbacks coach and before that, spent time on Josh McDaniels’ staff with both the Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders.
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“He has the experience in the system, he knows exactly what we’re looking for from the coordinator perspective with Caley,” Ryans said. “He knows how to speak it. Jerry has coached quarterbacks in this league before. … It puts him in that role where I feel the flow of communication is going to be really good.”
Everything is about getting the best version of Stroud on the field each week. Year 4 is critical for not just the quarterback, but also the franchise, since he’s entering the final year of his rookie contract. And while the Texans plan on picking up the fifth-year option, nothing has been set in stone up to this point.
The deadline for teams to pick up the fifth-year options on players’ contracts is May 1.
With Schuplinski, Stroud is expected to grow from his past mistakes. A revamped offensive line should also help elevate the play of the young passer while creating more opportunities for explosive moments in 2026.
“I know C.J. has learned from those moments. Now we have to go out and improve and show it on the field. But to see the manner in which he’s attacked the offseason, he’s working hard, he’s throwing every day, he’s been dialed in, so I’m excited to see how this continues to transition to him having a really great year for us.”