DeMeco Ryans Takes Over Texans Defensive Play-Calling Duties

The Houston Texans are making a significant change on defense after opening the 2026 season 0-4.

Head coach DeMeco Ryans announced that he will take over defensive play-calling duties from defensive coordinator Matt Burke moving forward, putting another responsibility on his plate as Houston looks to turn its season around.

Ryans made it clear that the decision was not a reflection of Burke's performance, but rather an attempt to address communication issues that have plagued the Texans through the first four games.

“It all starts with me, right? If there's a lack in communication, I look at myself first,” Ryans said. “So it starts with me and making sure I'm a better communicator.”

The Texans have struggled to find consistency on that side of the football, and the coaching staff has heard concerns about communication from players. Rather than place the blame on Burke, Ryans is taking responsibility for fixing the issue himself.

“So just 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.

The decision comes at a difficult point for Houston. The Texans are one of just a handful of winless teams remaining in the NFL, and the 0-4 start has put significant pressure on everyone inside the organization.

Ryans believes the best way to address the situation is to take ownership.

“If our guys are saying communication is not right, then that ultimately falls on me,” Ryans said. “So it's on me to get it fixed.”

The move also gives Ryans a more direct hand in the defense he originally built his reputation around. Before becoming Houston's head coach, Ryans established himself as one of the league's rising defensive minds, including during his time as the San Francisco 49ers' defensive coordinator in 2022.

Still, Ryans was careful not to frame the decision as a demotion for Burke.

“So it's just no slight against Coach Burke, he's done an outstanding job,” Ryans said.

Instead, the head coach views the move as a way to simplify communication and eliminate one of the issues that has repeatedly come up when discussing the Texans' defensive struggles.

“Just wanna make sure I can streamline communication in the best way possible,” Ryans said. “So that isn't the theme when I stand up here the next time I see you guys and talking about communication.”

For a team sitting at 0-4, changes were always likely to come. Houston has already dealt with significant injuries and offensive struggles, but the defense now has its own adjustment to make.