Should the Texans Make a Change at OC After DeMeco Ryans Rules Out Staff Changes?

The Houston Texans are running out of time to turn their season around, but head coach DeMeco Ryans has made it clear that he isn't planning any staff changes.

After falling to 2-5 with Sunday's 27-21 loss to the New York Giants, however, Houston should at least consider whether offensive coordinator Nick Caley is the right person to lead the offense moving forward.

Ryans has expressed confidence in his coaching staff, but the results have not been good enough. While the Texans have struggled across the roster, the offensive inconsistencies have been particularly frustrating, especially considering how well C.J. Stroud has played to begin the season.

Stroud has shown the ability to lead Houston's passing attack, but the supporting cast around him has failed to consistently deliver. The running game has struggled, the offensive line has been inconsistent and the play-calling has too often lacked the aggression needed to put opposing defenses under pressure.

That is where Caley comes into the conversation.

An offensive coordinator's job is to build a system around his personnel and put his players in the best position to succeed. Houston has invested heavily in their roster, yet the offense has too frequently looked predictable and conservative. When the running game isn't working, continuing to lean on it without finding alternative ways to attack defenses only makes the offense easier to stop.

Stroud shouldn't have to carry the entire offense for Houston to be competitive. The Texans need to find ways to create easier opportunities for their playmakers, stretch the field and take advantage of the quarterback's ability to make plays with his arm.

There are legitimate issues beyond Caley's control. The offensive line has struggled to create consistent running lanes, and personnel limitations can make it difficult for any play-caller to find answers. Firing an offensive coordinator would not automatically fix those problems.

Still, Caley must be held accountable for how the offense responds to those limitations. If the running game isn't producing, Houston needs a more effective alternative rather than continuing to rely on an approach that has repeatedly failed to generate enough offense.

Ryans has already acknowledged that the Texans need to improve, but standing behind the same staff can't mean accepting the same results indefinitely.

A midseason coaching change carries risks, particularly when a new play-caller would have to take over an offense during the season. However, that shouldn't prevent the Texans from evaluating whether a different voice could help unlock more of their offensive potential.

Caley doesn't necessarily need to be fired immediately, but his play-calling duties deserve a serious review. If Houston continues to struggle with the same issues, Ryans should be willing to reconsider his stance.

Ryans may not want to make changes, but with the season slipping away, refusing to consider them could become a problem of its own.