Houston Texans fans are excited to see what Nick Caley can do to elevate C.J. Stroud, Joe Mixon and a still promising offense to new heights in 2025, but they're not the only ones elated for the longtime assistant to have a chance calling plays on Sunday.
Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay gushed over Caley's potential and work ethic from his time out west as the team's pass-game coordinator. He had a say in the offense, but the veteran Rams coach was the one to make the final call.
That won't be the case in Houston. It's Caley's brainchild now and ideologies that are making the decisions and pulling the strings. McVay can't wait to see what's in store for the offense this fall.
“I think the great thing for Nick is he was always preparing to take those next steps while still being totally present in his role,” McVay told KPRC's Aaron Wilson at the NFL owners meetings. “I go back to his foundation starting with coach [Bill] Belichick, the amount of ball you’re exposed to, doing ball the right way, he was ready. He sees the game through an All-22 lens. I think he’s going to do an excellent job. He’s been preparing himself based on the way he approaches every single day. I think their background, these guys see the game from a big-picture lens.”
PALM BEACH, Fla. #Rams coach Sean McVay on new #Texans OC Nick Caley 'He's going to do an excellent job. He's ready' @KPRC2pic.twitter.com/8UggpDXlgW
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 1, 2025
Caley, 42, has spent the better part of 12 years preparing for this moment. He began working under Belichick and longtime offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia in New England as an assistant before eventually taking over as the tight ends coach. With the Patriots, he helped Martellus Bennett transform back into a Pro Bowl-caliber player and Rob Gronkowski in a first-team All-Pro.
In Houston, Caley will oversee an offense headlined by Stroud, a former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. The cuppoard isn't bare since Mixon, Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins, tight end Dalton Schultz and newcomer Christian Kirk all have upside as top 15 players at their repsecitve roles, but there's an emphasis on ensuring Stroud's protection is stable.
Last season en route to a 10-7 finish, Hosuton's offensive line gave 54 total sacks, 52 of which came against Stroud. In the divisional round loss to Kansas City, Stroud was sacked eight more times and pressured on 42% of reps.
This offseason, the Texans overhauled their offensive line, trading five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil and former first-round guard Kenyon Green while cutting right guard Shaq Mason. As replacements, they signed left tackle Cam Robinson, and offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson. They also traded for guard Ed Ingram from Minnesota.
Accoridng to McVay, Caley's coaching approach is shaped from ultra-detailed and aggressive demeanor. It's no-nonsense play through the whistle mentality, something implemented by both Belichick and Scarnecchia that later set the tone out in Los Angeles amid its run to two Super Bowl appearances under McVay.
“Nick has an infectious energy and ...
