DeMeco Ryans is taking back control of Houston’s defensive play-calling as the Texans try to halt an 0-4 slide and address the communication problems that have repeatedly surfaced in decisive moments.
Ryans announced Wednesday that he will call the defense in place of coordinator Matt Burke, whose unit sits 20th in the league through four games. The move comes after a sharp drop-off from the previous two seasons, when Houston finished first defensively in 2025 and sixth in 2024 with Ryans and Burke leading that side of the ball.
The Texans coach said the responsibility for correcting the issues begins with him. Ryans said that when players identify communication failures, he must examine his own role first and ensure the messages are delivered more clearly. Taking over the calls, he said, is intended to simplify that process and prevent communication from remaining the subject after future games.
Ryans stressed that the decision was not a criticism of Burke, who has been Houston’s defensive coordinator since 2023. He praised Burke’s work while explaining that the staff needs a more direct structure as it searches for its first victory of the season.
“These are difficult decisions, but a head coach has to make difficult decisions,” Ryans said. “They will not always be popular, and not everyone will be pleased. My job is to do what gives the men in our locker room the best opportunity to win a football game.”
Houston’s losses have been defined by defenses unable to protect late advantages. In the season opener, the Texans surrendered a 96-yard touchdown march on seven plays to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills during the final three minutes of a 36-31 defeat.
Against Indianapolis in Week 3, C.J. Stroud directed a late touchdown drive that gave Houston the lead, only for the Colts to move 29 yards in six snaps and reach Spencer Shrader’s field-goal range for the winning kick.
The loss to Dallas proved the breaking point. Houston led 23-13 early in the third quarter before the Cowboys cut into the margin in the fourth. Stroud and the offense answered with an 87-yard scoring drive spanning nine plays, seemingly putting the Texans in position to close out their first win.
Instead, Dak Prescott led Dallas 74 yards in less than two minutes in the closing minute. Prescott finished the comeback by finding CeeDee Lamb for a 12-yard touchdown, handing Houston another painful late collapse.
The Texans now face a historically difficult climb. Only the 1992 San Diego Chargers have reached the postseason after beginning an NFL season 0-4. Ryans is betting that a hands-on return to defensive play-calling can bring urgency, cleaner communication and a different finish for a team that can no longer afford the same mistakes.
