As the 2024 NFL season gears up, the Houston Texans have finalized their roster and made a notable addition to bolster their quarterback depth. Kedon Slovis, previously with the Indianapolis Colts, has been signed to Houston’s practice squad.
Slovis, a former BYU Cougar, initially made waves at USC before transferring to Pittsburgh. His freshman year at Southern Cal was particularly impressive, as he threw for a record-breaking 3,502 yards, 30 touchdowns, and only nine interceptions. Over his collegiate career, he accumulated 1,689 passing yards and 80 touchdowns. Despite his standout college career, Slovis went undrafted this offseason but quickly joined the Colts as a street free agent.
In the preseason with Indianapolis, Slovis demonstrated his potential by completing 16 of 22 passes for 149 yards. However, he found himself squeezed out in a crowded quarterback room featuring second-year sensation Anthony Richardson, seasoned veteran Joe Flacco, and third-stringer Sam Ehlinger. As a result, Slovis was let go and now looks to make an impact with the Texans.
Slovis’ athleticism and arm strength have caught the eye of many scouts and analysts. Chad Porto of the Toro Times notes, “Despite his up-and-down college career, he isn’t without upside. He has a big arm and can nail receivers downfield. He’s shown to be a gunslinger at times and isn’t afraid to take shots. He’s not just a big arm; he’s incredibly athletic. He runs a 4.55 40-time, fast enough to be a wide receiver in the NFL. He’s nimble too, having scored very well across his combine outing.”
Although Slovis drew interest from the DC Defenders in the UFL, his journey continues in the NFL for now.
Looking ahead to the 2024 season, the Texans, who finished 10-7 last year and topped the AFC South, are primed for a strong showing. They’ll kick off their season on the road against the Colts, who finished 9-8 in 2023. Houston is emerging as a dark horse contender for Super Bowl LVII. After a disappointing end to last season with a Divisional Playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the Texans have bolstered their roster significantly.
General Manager Nick Caserio has made key acquisitions, including perennial 1,000-yard rusher Joe Mixon from the Bengals and veteran Cam Akers to strengthen the backfield. Additionally, they’ve added playmaking wide receiver Stefon Diggs from Buffalo. With these new additions, and in his second year, quarterback CJ Stroud is expected to lead a high-octane offense.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans has emphasized a team-first mentality. “At the end of the day, all the guys we have, they care about winning. Doesn’t matter who is touching the ball. It’s all about what we need to do to win that particular week,” Ryans said. “That’s always been my approach to game planning.”
The Texans are set for an exciting season, and with their revamped roster, they’re aiming to make a significant impact in the league.