Nick Caley’s First Year in Houston: A Season of Growing Pains and Offensive Gains
The Houston Texans’ 2025 season came to a close in the AFC Divisional Round, and while the playoff exit stings, there’s no shortage of conversation around how they got there-specifically, how the offense evolved under first-year offensive coordinator Nick Caley.
Caley’s debut campaign was a roller coaster, marked by stretches of inconsistency, flashes of brilliance, and a steady climb in production as the season wore on. So now the question becomes: How much credit-or criticism-does Caley deserve for the Texans’ offensive identity this season?
Let’s break it down.
Weeks 1-4: A Slow Start Out of the Gate
The Texans stumbled early, going 1-3 over the first four weeks. The offense struggled to find rhythm, averaging just 15.75 points per game. Houston put up a total of 1,155 yards during that stretch-just under 289 per game-with a fairly balanced attack: 832 yards through the air and 414 on the ground.
But the production wasn’t matching the potential, and that raised some eyebrows. Even against mid-tier defenses like the Rams and Buccaneers, the Texans couldn’t consistently move the chains or finish drives.
Time of possession was solid (30:01), but the offense wasn’t capitalizing on opportunities. Only six touchdowns in four games?
That’s not going to cut it in today’s NFL.
Weeks 5-9: Signs of Life and a Midseason Spark
Something clicked in the second quarter of the season. The Texans went 2-2 in this stretch, and the offense began to show signs of real growth. They averaged 26 points per game-up more than 10 points from the first four weeks-and saw a noticeable uptick in yardage (353.5 yards per game).
Caley’s offense leaned more into the passing game here, racking up 1,030 yards through the air over four games. The run game also improved slightly, with 114.25 rushing yards per contest.
And perhaps most importantly, Houston controlled the clock better than ever, averaging 35:24 in time of possession. That’s elite territory.
Keep in mind: this surge came against some tough defenses. The Seahawks were ranked No. 1 in scoring defense, and the Broncos were top-three in both total and scoring defense. So this wasn’t just a case of beating up on weak opponents-Caley’s unit was starting to find its footing against real competition.
Weeks 10-13: Ground Game Gains and Offensive Balance
By now, the Texans had clawed their way to a 7-5 record, and the offense had developed a more well-rounded identity. They averaged 23.75 points per game during this stretch, with 338 total yards per game.
But the biggest shift? The run game took center stage.
Houston averaged 159.25 rushing yards per contest in Weeks 10-13-by far their best stretch on the ground. That balance opened things up for the passing game and helped the offense stay on schedule. The Texans also faced a mix of defensive challenges, from the stout Buffalo Bills to the struggling Colts, and handled them with relative consistency.
Caley’s play-calling leaned into the strengths of the personnel here. The offense wasn’t flashy, but it was efficient and increasingly difficult to defend.
Weeks 14-18: Hitting Their Stride When It Mattered
Down the stretch, with playoff positioning on the line, Caley’s offense delivered its best football. Houston went 5-0 to close the regular season, averaging 28.2 points per game and scoring 13 touchdowns over five contests.
The yardage totals (327.6 per game) weren’t eye-popping, but the offense was opportunistic and capitalized in the red zone. The passing game remained steady at just under 220 yards per game, while the run game chipped in a reliable 112 per outing.
What stands out here is the consistency. Houston wasn’t just feasting on weak opponents-yes, they faced the struggling Cardinals and Raiders, but they also went toe-to-toe with top-10 defenses like the Chiefs and Chargers. Caley’s offense didn’t just survive those matchups-it thrived.
The Full Season Picture: A Work in Progress with Real Promise
By season’s end, the Texans ranked 18th in total offense, 13th in scoring, and 4th in time of possession. That last stat is especially telling. This was an offense that controlled the game, even when the yardage totals didn’t jump off the page.
In total, Houston racked up 5,559 yards and 404 points-averaging 23.8 points per game. Not elite, but certainly competitive. And considering where they started, the growth under Caley is hard to ignore.
Where Does Caley Go From Here?
It’s fair to ask whether the Texans should explore other offensive minds-veteran names like Brian Daboll and Joe Brady are out there. But Caley’s first year showed a clear upward trajectory. The offense improved in nearly every key metric as the season progressed, and he adjusted well to different defensive looks.
Was it perfect? No.
There were growing pains, and some early-game scripts left fans scratching their heads. But by the end of the year, Caley had crafted an offense that could compete, control the clock, and put points on the board.
For a first-year coordinator, that’s a strong foundation to build on.
Caley’s offense didn’t just survive the season-it evolved. And if this upward trend continues, the Texans might have something real on their hands.