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Texans Coach Ryans Takes Over Defense Amid 0-4 Start
Confirmed
In Short: Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans announced he will take over defensive play-calling duties from coordinator Matt Burke following the team's 0-4 start.
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans announced Wednesday that he will take over defensive play-calling duties from defensive coordinator Matt Burke, a significant change amid the team's 0-4 start.
Ryans said the decision is not a slight against Burke, who has done an outstanding job. Instead, Ryans aims to streamline communication and ensure it is clear and effective.
"It's no slight against coach Burke. He's done an outstanding job. Just wanna make sure I can streamline communication in the best way possible, so that isn't the theme when I stand up here the next time I see you guys and talking about communication," Ryans told reporters.
The Texans' defense has struggled, allowing 17 completions of 20+ yards and ranking 28th in explosive play rate, a significant fall from their 14th-place standing last season.
"It all starts with me. If there’s a lack in communication, I look at myself first. So, it starts with me and making sure I’m a better communicator. So, just to help spark things more, gonna take over the play-calling for the defense, and I’m gonna make sure that communication is right," Ryans added.
The Texans' defense is currently 26th in points allowed per game (27.3) and 20th in yards allowed per game (343.8), marking their worst start since 2020.
Ryans made a similar move last year, giving up play-calling duties to Burke in Week 4 after the defense had struggled early. The Texans started 1-3 last season but made the playoffs.
"To help spark things more, I’m gonna take over the play-calling for the defense and I'm gonna make sure that communication is right," Ryans said, emphasizing the importance of clear communication.
The Texans will face the Tennessee Titans in Week 5, hoping to turn their season around.
"There is much more to 'communication' than just defending big plays -- many of those completions were well-defended -- but that is one area in which Houston is lacking," noted CBS Sports.
What this adds
The Texans' defense, which was expected to be a strength this season, has been a major disappointment, allowing 343.75 yards and 27.25 points a game.
Ryans' decision comes as whispers about his job security grow louder, with the team off to their worst start since 2020.
Background
Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans announced he will take over defensive play-calling duties from coordinator Matt Burke following the team's 0-4 start.
What's confirmed
- On Wednesday, Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said he will take over defensive play-calling duties from defensive coordinator Matt Burke, a significant change amid his team's 0-4 start.
- The Texans have allowed 17 completions of 20+ yards.
- Only one team -- the 1992 Chargers -- started a season 0-4 and made the postseason.
- "It's no slight against coach Burke. He's done an outstanding job. Just wanna make sure I can streamline communication in the best way possible, so that isn't the theme when I stand up here the next time I see you guys and talking about communication."
- “It all starts with me. If there’s a lack in communication, I look at myself first. So, it starts with me and making sure I’m a better communicator. So, just to help spark things more, gonna take over the play-calling for the defense, and I’m gonna make sure that communication is right. If our guys are saying communication is not right, then that–ultimately, it falls on me. So, it’s on me to get it fixed,” Ryans told reporters on October 7.
- Head coach DeMeco Ryans announced on Wednesday that he is taking over defensive play-calling responsibilities.
- Ryans announced Wednesday that he’d take over calling plays from defensive coordinator Matt Burke as the 0-4 Texans prepare to visit the also winless Titans.
- Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans looks on during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Houston, Sunday, Oct.
What's still developing
- The Texans' defense gives up some big plays by nature -- it is an extremely aggressive unit that will sometimes get beaten -- but the fall from 14th to 28th in explosive play rate is massive.
- One of the biggest disappointments from the Texans' start is their defensive struggles as the perceived vaunted defense has not met its standard from 2025 when the team boasted the No. 1 total defense.
- Defensive miscues have plagued the New York Yankees in October the last few years, but Game 2 of the ALDS in Tampa Bay on Monday might have been their worst display yet.
- Reigning league MVP Matthew Stafford is still at the quarterback position, and the franchise brought in reigning unanimous Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett in a blockbuster trade deal earlier this offseason.
- The Wolfpack — Wilson's former school before he transferred to Wisconsin for his final season — lost to the Commodores on the final play of the game following CJ Bailey's fumble in the end zone for a defensive touchdown.
- The defensive midfielder, 30, was out of contract following his release from Spurs in June.
- The hit that Dante Moore took was disgusting, and one of the dirtier plays you will ever see from USC defensive back Desman Stephens II.
- The Kansas City Chiefs are gearing up for their Sunday night showdown against the Indianapolis Colts with some good news: All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones is available for the game.
- Houston Texans fourth-year head coach DeMeco Ryans is taking matters into his own hands as whispers about his job security grow louder.
- They returned 10 starters from a unit that allowed a league-low 17.4 points per game.
- When Burrow spoke to the media after Wednesday’s practice, he said it was “gameday soreness” in his back and that he expects to play on Sunday.