The Texans are making a change to their coaching staff.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday that Houston is parting ways with quarterback coach Jerrod Johnson.
The Texans are expected to promote pass game specialist Jerry Schuplinski to fill the vacancy, per the Houston Chronicle.
Johnson had served in the position for three years.
In his first year under Demeco Ryans in 2023, he oversaw No. 2 overall pick CJ Stroud’s AP Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign.
That season, Stroud threw for over 4,000 yards while tossing 23 touchdowns to just five interception. But in his last two campaigns, Stroud has totaled 20 interceptions and 39 touchdowns, failing to uphold the standard he set in his rookie year. He also averaged 218.3 yards per game across 31 appearances.
With Stroud’s regression came playoff struggles.
In 2024, Houston lost to the Chiefs in the Divisional Round after handily defeating the Chargers in the Wild Card round. This past season, Stroud’s four picks led to a 28-16 drubbing by the Patriots.
As a result, the Texans and Johnson split, which was reportedly a mutual decision.
His replacement, Schuplinski, has been in the NFL since 2013, starting as an assistant with the Patriots.
He’s also spent time with the Dolphins, Raiders and Rams before joining the Texans in 2025. Across those positions, he’s mentored signal callers like Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford.
Schuplinski will be tasked with guiding Stroud back to the level he reaced in 2023. The Ohio State product has one year left on his rookie contract and an impending decision to pick up his fifth-year option.
As trade rumors have circled following Stroud’s decline, Texans general manager Nick Caserio shut them down.
He said Tuesday at the NFL Combine that Stroud is “not going anywhere,” and the rumors are “moronic.” Stroud also confirmed his commitment to Houston at the end of the season.
“I want to be here for as long as I can. I love the city of Houston,” Stroud said. “It really hurts me. I wish it didn’t go that way. My intent was to go out there and ball.”
Besides Stroud, Schuplinski inherits a quarterback room that also contains Davis Mills and Graham Mertz, who will enter their sixth and second years in the league, respectively.
He’ll have a major task immediately — turning Stroud’s career around.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
