In a bold move that’s sure to spark debate, the Miami Dolphins have decided to retain Bobby Slowik, naming him their new offensive coordinator. But here’s where it gets controversial: Slowik’s appointment comes despite his recent firing from the Houston Texans after their offense regressed in 2024. Can he turn things around in Miami? That’s the million-dollar question.
Slowik, a seasoned NFL assistant with 13 years of experience, reunites with Jeff Hafley, the Dolphins’ newly appointed head coach. The two share a history from their time together on the San Francisco 49ers coaching staff in 2017 and 2018—a partnership that clearly left a lasting impression on Hafley. Slowik’s most recent role was as Miami’s passing game coordinator, but this marks only his second stint as an offensive coordinator.
And this is the part most people miss: Slowik’s tenure with the Texans wasn’t all doom and gloom. In 2023, Houston ranked 12th in yards and 14th in points, though they slipped to 22nd and 19th, respectively, in 2024. Meanwhile, the Dolphins’ offense under Mike McDaniel last season was abysmal, ranking 26th in yards per game, 25th in passing, and 25th in scoring—the worst across McDaniel’s four-year tenure. A major issue? The receiver unit’s struggles with assignments and route running.
Slowik’s task won’t be easy. The Dolphins are actively seeking an upgrade at quarterback, with Tua Tagovailoa’s velocity issues and waning confidence leading to his benching late last season. Rookie Quinn Ewers, a seventh-round pick in the 2025 draft, started the final three games but hasn’t yet proven himself as a reliable starter. Here’s the kicker: Slowik comes from a family of coaches—his father, Bob, was a defensive coordinator for multiple NFL teams, and his brothers Ryan and Steve are also deeply entrenched in the league. Could this coaching DNA be the edge Miami needs?
With the hiring of Chris Taber as special teams coordinator, the Dolphins are rounding out their staff. They’ve also interviewed Clint Hurtt, a former defensive tackle at the University of Miami and Super Bowl-winning coach with the Philadelphia Eagles, for the defensive coordinator role. Hurtt, however, has no prior relationship with Hafley, which could be a wildcard in this reshuffling.
But here’s the real question: Is Slowik the right man to revive Miami’s struggling offense, or is this a risky gamble? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s just getting started.
