DeMeco Ryans to Reclaim Defensive Play-Calling for 0-4 Texans

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans is taking over defensive play-calling duties from coordinator Matt Burke following an winless 0-4 start to the 2026 season. Ryans, who previously oversaw one of the league’s most dominant defensive units, confirmed the change.

The decision follows the team’s fourth loss of the season. While the Texans’ front seven has remained productive—recording 14 sacks through four games behind the play of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter—the unit has struggled to maintain consistency and discipline. The defense currently ranks 20th in yards allowed and 26th in points allowed, surrendering an average of 27.3 points per game.

The Texans defense has fallen from its top-ranked 2025 status to 26th in scoring defense through four games in 2026.

Ryans cited a specific need to “streamline communication” as the primary reason for reclaiming control of the defensive headset. The breakdown has been most visible in the secondary, which currently ranks 28th in the NFL by allowing 260 passing yards per game. These lapses have led to the Texans blowing fourth-quarter leads in three of their four losses this season.

The shift represents a direct attempt to reverse a significant defensive regression. In 2025, Houston finished the season with the NFL’s top-ranked defense, allowing just 277.2 yards per game. That figure has jumped to 343.8 yards per game in 2026. The move also highlights an ironic shift in Ryans’ management style; during the 2025 season, Ryans helped fix an 0-3 start by delegating play-calling duties to his staff, a move that eventually led to a 12-5 finish. This year, he is taking the opposite approach by reclaiming direct control to halt the current slide.

Despite the change in game-day responsibilities, Matt Burke will remain the team’s defensive coordinator. He is expected to continue assisting with game planning and daily operations. Ryans now faces the dual challenge of managing overall head coaching duties while personally directing a defense that has struggled with late-game execution.

The post DeMeco Ryans to Reclaim Defensive Play-Calling for 0-4 Texans appeared first on World Weekly News.