Navigating the brutal reality of NFL roster cuts, Houston's head coach reveals the emotional toll of delivering career-altering news while shaping a championship-caliber squad for the upcoming season.
It's the worst part of being an NFL head coach: The roster cuts. Coaches across the National Football League are forced to give the message no NFL player wants to hear. The road stops here.
Many NFL players land with other football teams. Being cut from one team is not the end of a career in and of itself, but it does add uncertainty for players who worked hard to find a place on their current team for the season.
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans does not enjoy making that call. Though excited about his roster, he's not excited about shrinking it down to 53 players from the good players on the roster. Here's some of what Ryans said on roster cuts.
"Every year it's tough to make the team, as it should be, right? Our younger guys are getting better, they're improving. It's a hard team to make, and that's how you want it to be. So, we have some tough decisions to make for myself and Nick (Caserio), but we'll go through that process and make the best decisions that we can make for the Houston Texans.
I wish I could say the news gets easier, the years I've been a head coach, but it's never easy. Every time, we have to sit there and talk to a guy and give him the devastating news that he's not making a team. It's hard to give that news, and I know it's hard to receive that news as well. So, there is no pretty way of doing it."
For us, and how Nick and I have handled it, we're always honest, truthful, upfront with those guys. And give them the reasons behind why and things that they can improve upon to help them truly be a better player. So, the next time around, they can make it."
Aug 13, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans jogs onto the field before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn ImagesThe cynic would say Ryans is just paying lip service to players who are on the fringe to show empathy. Perhaps there is an element of that in his comments, though Ryans appears truly genuine.
Having played in the league and known the physical and mental toll it takes on players to simply make a professional roster, Ryans has a unique perspective. He doesn't want to tell any hardworking, talented player that they won't make the team.
Ryans' culture is built on authentic relationships. So, no doubt he has built rapport with players who may not make the team. That's what makes those decisions so difficult.
Despite it all, the Texans head coach is confident that general manager Nick Caserio will build the best possible roster for his team. Houston will hope to start the season fast and make the playoffs again in 2026.
