DeMeco

Ryans

They can still win the division and get as high as the No. 3 seed, so, yes, we expected this to be the outcome. Any fantasy leagues in the wilderness relying on Woody Marks, Nico Collins, and C.J. Stroud need not worry about them not playing. At least as long as this game doesn’t get out of hand.

ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime reports Ryans has no plans to move off of offensive coordinator Nick Caley, despite the team’s offensive struggles. The Texans are coming off a 27-19 Monday night loss to the Seahawks and have crossed 20 points only in games against the weak Titans and Ravens defenses. C.J. Stroud and company have not found the same success as his 2023 rookie season and despite the issues, Ryans is not making changes yet. He said, “It all starts with me...We got to play better. We got to execute better on game day.” The Texans head into a Week 8 matchup against a 49ers defense that ranks No. 7 in scoring and may be missing WR Nico Collins (concussion) for the game.

Speaking to reporters Monday, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said that starters will see snaps against the Steelers in preseason Week 1. “You just have to go through and play live reps of football before September. You’ll see our ones go out and get reps this week against Pittsburgh.” How long the starters will remain in the game remains to be seen, but it is now evident that we will see them on the field against the Steelers.

Ryans noted that the Texans only have one quarterback, Davis Mills, on the roster and will need to add two more. It’s almost certain that the Texans will take a quarterback with their first-round pick, so the team’s interest in drafting the position isn’t exactly a surprise. To that point, Ryans noted that he thought Alabama QB Bryce Young was an “outstanding quarterback.” He also stated that he thinks “the system is built around the quarterback as opposed to trying to fit a quarterback into a certain system.” Ryans appear highly motivated to spend resources on the quarterback position, which will be a welcome change for a team that spent—some might say wasted—two seasons with Mills under center.

Ryans may not see every wish granted, but it’s not uncommon to see coaches from one staff follow a newly minted head coach to his new gig. We already know that Ryans is interested in passing game coordinator Bobby Slowik, but according to Barrows, he is also interested in defensive quality control coaches Andrew Hayes-Stoker and Stephen Adegoke. Barrows also notes that safeties coach Daniel Bullocks has been “his [Ryans’] eyes in the coaches’ booth on game days” and that he’d likely be interested in bringing him on staff as well.

Down Bad in a way that few franchises have been the last two years, the Texans over the last four months have shed chaplain Jack Easterby, fired Lovie Smith, and now hired one of the most-qualified coaching candidates in the NFL. Also, he just so happens to have played linebacker for them at one point. Assuming Ryans brings 49ers offensive components and staff with him, they should quickly start to function like a real NFL organization again. It’s a big up arrow for Dameon Pierce and Nico Collins this offseason, as well as Brandin Cooks if he doesn’t get traded. It is impossible to speak to how big this move is for a franchise that has not won more than four games since 2019 -- it signals a positive sea change that was needed in the worst way.

All signs are pointing to Ryans becoming the next head coach of the Texans if all goes according to plan. Ryans has reportedly moved on from any prospects of joining the Broncos, and little has been mentioned of the Colts and Cardinals since he interviewed with them nearly two weeks ago. A former second-round pick by the Texans in 2006, Ryans returning to Houston as its next head coach would be a celebrated reunion for both sides, as the Texans hope to finally land a coach who can give them more than one year of service.

Ryans remains the top candidate for the Texans’ head coaching vacancy and was reportedly the top option for the Broncos after they appeared to lose out on Sean Payton. With the 49ers now eliminated from the playoffs, interviews should ramp up for Ryans this week. A reunion with the Texans remains a very real possibility, as Ryans could opt to return to the team that made him a second-round draft pick in 2006. He is expected to hold a second interview with the Texans sometime this week.

Rapoport adds that there is “mutual interest” and that he’s expected to have a second interview with the Texans after Sunday’s NFC Championship. Ryans is also reportedly a frontrunner for the Broncos job after yet another outstanding season coordinating the 49ers defense. The Texans have also had multiple interviews with former Broncos DC Ejiro Evero and Giants OC Mike Kafka, and may also bring in Eagles DC Jonathan Gannon and OC Shane Steichen for second interviews. Rapoport later added that the timeline “may not align” with Denver for Ryans. It sounds like Ryans to the Texans has a lot of momentum.

This comes just days after a report that Sean Payton would likely remain in broadcasting for the 2023 season. Payton and the Broncos were linked closely to one another through the first few weeks of the offseason, but the team may need to shift their focus elsewhere, and Ryans appears to have the inside edge. This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, as Ryans has been one of the most sought-after coaches this offseason, but has seen delays in the interview process with the 49ers being in the middle of a playoff run. The 49ers defensive coordinator could make for an excellent fit in Denver, who boasted one of the better defensive units in the NFL last season despite the team’s 5-12 record.