Houston Texans offensive coordinator isn’t alone in his desire to get his hands on the players and build the foundation for the 2020 offense on the practice fields at NRG Stadium.
Every coach would relish that opportunity. However, the NFL has had to make adjustments in their preparations league wide as the COVID-19 pandemic hangs over the country like an interminable fog.
The Texans and the rest of the NFL have had to adapt with a virtual offseason consisting of video conferencing (through Zoom) and interactive video sharing services to watch game film together.
“As far as what we’re able to do throughout these Zoom meetings, it’s really kind of a unique deal because everybody seems to be more comfortable in front of the screen, whether it’s in front of their phone or their tablet or their computer, so the communication that’s going on right now between our players, between one another, between coach to player and player to coach, has really been encouraging,” Kelly told reporters on Wednesday.
Kelly, who enters his second season as offensive coordinator and first as the play-caller, will be sailing into uncharted waters with three-time All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins traded to the Arizona Cardinals. The new Texans offense is built on having diverse threats with running back David Johnson able to carry the ball and catch out of the backfield. Houston also seeks to take the top off defenses with speedy wideouts such as Brandin Cooks and Will Fuller.
Even though Kelly can’t get his hands on his new offensive pieces on the practice field, he is optimistic about the 2020 season because of the high level of participation in the virtual offseason.
“For our guys to be able to come in here and approach this offseason the way that they have in such an uncertain time, it’s really been encouraging,” Kelly said.
